LEGACY OF SUCCESS 2026: Business awards; ‘Community builders’ celebrated

Posted on October 28, 2026 by Ryan Dahlman

Maple Creek News

Fifteen businesses were celebrated at the 3rd annual Legacy of Success awards night  for their dedication, reilience and contribution to the community.

Themed, “A Tribute To Our Forefathers”, Saturday’s event also acknowledged the grit of the early business pioneers who laid the groundwork for modern Maple Creek.

Len Barkman, emcee, praised today’s movers and shakers.

“The legacy businesses we are honouring tonight have weathered decades of economic shifts, global changes, and countless unpredictable cattle markets,” he said.

“Through it all, they kept their doors open, their hands extended to help, and their commitment to Maple Creek unwavering.”

The Round Up Food Bar occupied the “Celebrating 50 Years” category by itself.

Speaking afterwards, Sunny Ji, who has owned the business for 12 years, thanked the community for their support.

She said staff had a heart for preparing the best possible homemade food for diners, providing a full breakfast even at 6am.

“A lot of effort goes into it,” she said.

The other award categories were:

• 40 years: The Rockin’ Horse Cookhouse, Red Apple Stores, Schafer Electric, Lansdall IDA Pharmacy, Willowbend Hotel, A&B Hardware, and Hi Kick MC;
• 30 years: Hill Country Clothing, Cypress Pizza and Chicken, and Maple Creek Endless Tubing; and
• 20 years: Triple 7 Carwash, C&G Collision, C&D Pure Air, and Magnum Fabricating.

Business owners and representatives received special plaques from Councillors Corrine Collura, Tina Cresswell, Betty Abbott, and Michelle McKenzie, the mayor. Councillors Holly Gutfreund and Mike Stork were unable to attend.

The evening at the Armoury started with dinner catered by Mama T’s.

On the menu were ham, cabbage rolls, scalloped potatoes, cucumber salad, tossed salad, and garlic carrots. For dessert, there was apple pie and ice cream.

Each business was assigned a table, which bore old photographs of Maple Creek, in keeping with the theme. The front of the stage was also decorated with pictures from the archives.

In his opening remarks, Barkman, also a Town Councillor,  said the event was about looking back with immense gratitude.

“Every vibrant community has a foundation – a bedrock built by those who looked at this beautiful, rugged corner of Southwest Saskatchewan and saw endless potential,” he said.

“Our forefathers were pioneers, visionaries, and remarkably tough individuals. They didn’t just build storefronts; they forged a legacy of resilience, neighbourly grit, and the kind of entrepreneurial spirit that can survive a prairie winter without central heating. We truly stand on the shoulders of giants.”

He added: “Tonight, we celebrate the deep roots that keep us grounded and the shared history that unites us – while making sure we enjoy some excellent company along the way.”

Councillor Barkman then introduced McKenzie as a “leader who works tirelessly to champion local growth and foster economic success”.

He also praised the mayor for the “amazing” job she had done in decorating the Armoury.

McKenzie, whose brief speech is printed above in full, said Maple Creek owed a debt of gratitude to its forefathers for their vision and for helping to build today’s community.

Next, Councillor Barkman introduced “special guest speaker” Royce Pettyjohn, a professional community and economic developer with the Saskatchewan Economic Development Alliance, and chair of the Southwest Saskatchewan Tourism & Investment Attraction Hub.

“His work in heritage and tourism led to the Town of Maple Creek winning the Prince of Wales prize for Municipal Heritage Leadership, and Royce himself has been recognized with Tourism Saskatchewan’s prestigious ‘Tourism Builder’ award, the Town of Maple Creek’s ‘Citizen of the Year’ award, and more recently with the King Charles the Third Coronation Medal.”

In a slideshow presentation, Pettyjohn spoke about the evolution of Maple Creek’s business community from its inception in the late 1800s. His presentation, filled with historical photos and insights into life more than a century ago, will be covered in Thursday’s paper.

Councillor Barkman thanked Pettyjohn for an “incredibly rich and detailed look” into the lives and legacy of the town’s forefathers.

“Your presentation brings a vital chapter of our history to life, reminding us of the enduring impact of their choices and success.

“We appreciate your sharing your profound knowledge with us this evening.”

After the awards presentation, Councillor Barkman called for one more round of applause for the awardees.

He said the next Town of Maple Creek event would be a “Christmas Sweater Party” at the Armoury on December 12, a fundraiser for renovating the historic building’s entrance.

ROll OF

HONOUR

50 YEARS:

The Round Up Food Bar

40 YEARS:

The Rockin’ Horse

Cookhouse, Red Apple Stores, 
Schafer

Electric,

Lansdall IDA Pharmacy, 
Willowbend 
Hotel, A&B Hardware,

Hi Kick MC

30 YEARS:

Hill Country Clothing,

Cypress Pizza and Chicken, Maple Creek Endless Tubing

20 YEARS

Triple 7

Carwash,

C&G Collision, C&D Pure Air, Magnum

Fabricating