Elks Hall: Gym proposal presented

Posted on June 17, 2026 by Ryan Dahlman

By Marcus Day

Maple Creek News

A  proposal to turn the former Elks Hall into a gym has progressed – despite an objection from a nearby resident, who has voiced noise, parking, privacy, and safety concerns.

Maple Creek Town Council has approved an application for a discretionary use of the property at 521 5th Avenue.

In a report, Barry Elliott, CAO, said the Maple Creek Elks had informed the Town that it is no longer financially able to continue operating the hall.

”As a result, the Elks is in the process of selling the facility to a willing purchaser.

“The Elks has approached Council with a request to authorize a discretionary use permit for the interested purchaser, who has informed the Town of the intent to convert the facility into a gymnasium facility.”

Elliott said that as the new Zoning Bylaw gives Council the ability to approve a discretionary use for this type of application, the Elks’ request is presented for consideration.

In a letter of objection, Sasha Saufert, a neighbouring resident, expressed serious concerns about the impact the proposed business would have on the surrounding residential area and the quality of life of nearby homeowners.

”This area is residential and, in my opinion, is not an appropriate location for a commercial business operating as a gym, especially one that could potentially operate 24 hours a day.

“Residents purchased homes in this neighbourhood with the expectation of living in a quiet residential environment, not beside a continuously operating commercial enterprise.”

Saufert raised concerns about increased traffic and congestion; ongoing parking issues; reduced privacy; increased noise pollution; disturbance to residents and pets; safety and security; potential impact on property values; and a possible precedent for other commercial developments within residential neighbourhoods.

“The Elks Hall currently hosts only occasional events each year. While those events can already create disruption for neighbouring residents, they are temporary and infrequent.

“Converting the building into an active business operation would create ongoing daily and nightly impacts that are not appropriate for this location.

“I believe a gymnasium enterprise would be better suited to a commercial or industrial area of Maple Creek where traffic, parking, and business activity can be more appropriately accommodated without negatively affecting residential homeowners.”

Saufert said there were already two gyms in Maple Creek.

”This raises the question of whether an additional gymnasium enterprise is necessary in a community of this size.

“If this proposal involves an existing gym relocating its operations, it is difficult to understand why a move from an established business district location into a residential neighbourhood would be considered appropriate.”

Councillor Betty Abbott noted the letter-writer’s concerns about a potential 24-hours-a-day operation, and questioned whether it was fair at this stage to approve the application.

Elliott said that conversations with the prospective property owner and the realtor suggested that the intention was not to run a 24-hour operation.

Councillor Mike Stork wondered whether the property buyer or the applicant had a plan to deal with noise concerns.  If there was one, it might help nearby residents.

A follow-up to that, said Stork, would be to make a stipulation about noise.

Elliott said the Town had a noise bylaw that covered issues like noise early in the morning and late at night.

”So, that would apply here as it does to any other business.”

Councillor Tina Cresswell said the Elks had held evening events at the hall.

However, gyms did not typically organize such functions. Instead, gyms held sessions in which people let themselves into the building and did their workouts. Gyms were generally not noisy places, said Councillor Cresswell.

Michelle McKenzie, the mayor, said that sometimes there was noise in the area when people emerged from a function at the Armoury in the early hours.

”I don’t think we are going to get that from a gym.”

McKenzie added that there was a large parking lot by the former Elks Hall.

”I don’t know how many cars are parked in front of the gyms downtown,” she said.

Councillor Stork did not foresee a parking problem with a gym.

”There is a massive parking lot.”

Councillor Stork suspected that the noise concern was about people going outside a gym to cool off after a workout, while their music continued to blast.

Councillor Holly Gutfreund did not believe music was as invasive these days because people wore earbuds.

The discretionary use application was carried.