By KEVIN BERGER, Local Journalism Initiative
City of Martensville councillors unanimously voted during their July 14 meeting to approve the allocation of $60,000 from the facilities reserve to replace the furnace and ducting at the city’s Public Works building a year ahead of schedule.
According to a report from Director of Recreation and Planning Roxane Melnyk, this capital project was originally planned for 2027, but things changed when water was recently discovered within the building’s duct system following a recent rainfall.
Further inspection confirmed the presence of water and soil within the ducts. As such, administration has determined the current heating system should not be operated until the issue is addressed.
Melnyk wrote that administration intends to issue a request for proposals (RFP) for the work, which will include the furnace replacement, ductwork installation and the decommissioning of the existing duct system, as well as any associated building repairs.
Given how winter will begin in only a few months, Melnyk said it was important to issue the RFP as soon as possible.
MARTIAL ARTS RENTAL
Martensville council also approved a waiver of rental fees in the amount of $600 for the Dalmeny Martial Arts Organization, which is planning to host the Akikaze Open Karate Tournament at the North Ridge Centennial Community Centre on Saturday, November 14.
According to Melnyk’s report, this tournament is expected to attract about 220 participants and spectators. Competitors will range in age from five to 60 years and will hail from throughout Saskatchewan.
Melnyk wrote that Dalmeny Martial Arts is a volunteer-operated, non-profit organization serving communities from Borden to Warman and from Hague to Saskatoon, including both families and instructors from Martensville.
She noted that this event is not being hosted as a fundraising initiative; rather, the group is asking for a partial exemption of the $1,200 rental cost in order to provide to an affordable tournament experience.
In fact, the admission fee will be a donation of either cash or a non-perishable food item for the Martensville Food Pantry.
The 574 Dakota Air Cadets will also operate the concession, with all proceeds supporting their programs and activities.
Councillor Darren MacDonald said he was initially not in favour of this request, noting that it is not a Martensville-specific group.
However, he changed his mind upon seeing that they are trying to keep down costs for participants and aren’t using the event specifically as a fundraiser for the club.
“I would be less inclined to support (an event like this) where they are charging entrance fees and are using that to fund their organization.”
Melnyk noted Martensville council has approved rental fee waivers totalling $39,531.40 to date, and the 2026 operating budget included $36,000 for rental fee waivers.
NAMING POLICY
Finally, council approved a series of updates to the Naming of Civic Property and Development Areas Policy to improve the way name submissions are evaluated.
Melnyk indicated the city’s Naming Committee had identified the need for a more formal evaluation tool to support the review of submitted names.
After the committee met with administration, it was agreed the tool should have categories that better reflect values that are important to Martensville residents, such as local heritage and community contributions.