Maple Creek Town Council Briefs from Aug. 26

Posted on September 4, 2026 by Ryan Dahlman

Maple Creek News

Town Council briefs from Aug. 26:

Pool staff praised

Swimming pool staff have been commended for putting in long hours over the summer and working exceptionally hard.

“I would like to thank all the pool staff,” said Councillor Holly Gutfreund.

She added: “I hear so much good feedback about our pool.”

In a report, Olivia Bircham, pool supervisor, said the pool staff had done a wonderful job.

“All 7 of our staff are certified to teach swimming lessons and by the close of summer 2026 will have taught a lesson set with a second instructor and several will have done solo sets as well,” she reported.

Backing for August courses

The estimated cost of providing Bronze Medallion and Bronze Cross courses at the swimming pool – both of  which went ahead on August 17-19 and 25-27 – is $2,150, Maple Creek Town Council was told.

In her monthly report, Olivia Bircham, the pool supervisor, said she had secured the services of an instructor, Emily, who comes from Gull Lake and charges mileage on top of her $35/hour rate.

Bircham said the Town would be reimbursing participating children who came to work for the municipality. As a result, she recommended a charge of $150 or $175 per course.

At last Thursday’s Council meeting, Councillor Mike Stork moved that the expenditure of $2,150 for hiring an instructor be approved. Council also approved charging $175 per course.

Councillor Holly Gutfreund pointed out that both courses had already taken place. Council decisions, therefore, were being taken “after the fact”.

Call for washroom signs

Signs for public washrooms in Maple Creek need to be put up as a matter of priority, Maple Creek Town Council was told. Councillor Tina Cresswell said that her husband, Dave Turner, was unaware that there were public washrooms in town because he had never seen any signs.

“I hope that is very high on the agenda,” said Councillor Cresswell.

Councillor Corrine Collura said that a new town map should show where the public washrooms are.

Flood-mapping exercise

A report on a flood-mapping exercise being undertaken by the Water Security Agency (WSA) should be presented to Maple Creek Town Council by the end of the fall.

Barry Elliott, the Town’s chief administrative officer, said a WSA representative had informed him that an internal project review was being carried out.

Once completed, the report would be forwarded to Council.

Road issue highlighted

A section of 1st Avenue North looks like its falling into the ditch, Councillor Corrine Collura said at last Thursday’s Maple Creek Town Council meeting.

Barry Elliott, the Town’s CAO, said administration was aware of the issue, and would be taking action.

“We are keeping a close eye on it,” he said.

Drinking water advisory

The duration of a precautionary drinking water advisory for the 100 block of Griffin Street depends on water sampling results, the Town’s chief administrative officer told Maple Creek Town Council.

Barry Elliott said two samples of clear water were needed before the advisory could be lifted.

He spoke after Councillor Holly Gutfreund asked whether work on the 100 block of Griffin Street would be completed soon.

Elliott said a dig was carried out this year to allow a new building to be hooked up, but there was a challenge with a “soft seam of sand”.

This was refilled, but evidence of surface water remained.

An investigation showed there was a water break in the line, which meant digging again at the site.

To do that, lines have to be shut off, Elliott explained.

As a precautionary measure, a water advisory was put in place.