Phase 3: Waskesiu Recreation Area Renewal

A new community project is underway, led by the Waskesiu Recreation Association.

Phase one of the Paul G. Horne Community Arena Refurbishment Project has started and is on track to be completed by the time Mother Nature makes it cold enough to freeze the ice. 

This project will result in significant improvements to the appearance and public enjoyment of the facility by updating the ice area and the common areas including kitchen, washrooms, and dressing rooms.

This project is funded by the Waskesiu Recreation Association, sponsorships, and donations including a $10,000 contribution through us at the Waskesiu Foundation.

Recreation facilities are one of the cornerstones of the Waskesiu experience. We've worked collaboratively with the Waskesiu Recreation Association, Parks Canada Agency and the Waskesiu Community Council to revitalize Waskesiu’s recreation facilities. Completing the Waskesiu Recreation Area Renewal was also identified by the community as a key project within Waskesiu's "Vision 2020 and Beyond" Community Action Plan.   

The Waskesiu Recreation Association (WRA) is a volunteer driven, non-profit organization responsible for Waskesiu’s recreation facilities and activities, and also leads, or assists with, many of the prominent events that have made Waskesiu a popular destination for so many.   

Short term objectives already completed: 

1. Resurfaced six tennis courts and converted two of them to multi-use as tennis and pickle ball courts [Completed in 2016] 
2. "Master Plan" for the area bounded by Montreal Drive and Waskesiu Drive, featuring a landscaping plan, new activities & related facilities [Completed in 2017]
3. Community message board at the corner of Montreal Drive and Waskesiu Drive to better inform the community about events, programs and facilities [Completed in 2017]
4. Gordie Howe Memorial Fitness Park [Completed in 2018] 
5. Athletic tile flooring for the Gordie Howe Memorial Fitness Park [Completed in 2019] 
6. Little Al's Mini Golf 18 hole course that reflects the unique character of Waskesiu and Prince Albert National Park [Completed in 2018] 
7. Tree carvings [Completed in 2018 and 2020] 
8. WRA kiosk/donor kiosk [Completed in 2018] 
9. Refurbished horseshoe pits in the Waskesiu Day Use Area [Completed in 2018] 
10. Johnny Bower Sport Court for basketball, volleyball, floor hockey, soccer/futsal, and dodgeball [Completed in 2020] 
11. Norma McConaghy Shuffleboard Court with specifically engineered shuffleboard tiles and benches on either end [Completed in 2020] 
12. New picnic shelter sponsored by the Reel Rave International Film Festival [Completed in 2020] 
13. FireSmart tree management [Completed in 2020] 
14. New and refurbished pathways [Completed in 2020] 
15. Outdoor (permanent) table tennis [Completed in 2021] 
16. Outdoor foosball [Completed in 2021] 
17. Outdoor giant chess/checkers [Completed in 2021] 
18. Christopher Ridsdale Children's Ninja Park [Completed in 2021] 
19. Stanley Thompson Lawn Bowling Green refurbishment sponsored by the Hesje family. Grand opening June 30, 2022. [Completed in 2022]
20. New beach volleyball court on the recreation grounds [Completed in 2022]
21. New portable benches added to the tennis courts [Completed in 2022]
22. A total of 17 memorial benches and 8 memorial chairs installed on the recreation area grounds [Completed in 2022]

Mid to longer-term objectives: 

1. Building two dedicated pickleball courts
2. Replacing the existing recreation office building
3. Improving vegetation in the recreation area
4. Constructing a decorative short fence around the adult fit park to deter children from accessing the adults only facility and enhance safety 
5. Repairing and upgrading the Paul Horne Arena for year round use    

Why renew Waskesiu's aging recreation facilities? 

• Improves the recreational offering, and reinforces Waskesiu as Saskatchewan's premiere family vacation destination 
• Advances Waskesiu's Community Action Plan 
• Provides an important new revenue stream. Revenue will be shared between donations to the Waskesiu Foundation and improved recreational programs/facilities by the Waskesiu Recreation Association, including the projects listed above 
• Little Al's Mini Golf and upgraded facilities like the Johnny Bower Sport Court are a) visually appealing, safe and available to all ages & levels of fitness; b) provide activities that residents and visitors can enjoy anytime, including during evenings and on "non-beach/lake days" 
• Improved recreation facilities help provide economic benefit to business operators within the Waskesiu townsite and supports Parks Canada’s mandate to increase visitation and revenue