ESTERHAZY — Many rinks these days have their hockey games streaming live for fans to enjoy, and the Town of Esterhazy is considering exactly how to make that happen at the Dana Antal Arena.
The topic of having a live video feed at the arena was on the agenda of last week’s regular town council meeting on Dec. 11, with a few options on the table to consider.
The idea is not a new one, as Mayor Randy Bot pointed out, but is something he feels is important as a way of giving back to the community.
“Michelle (Fuhr, Community Development and Recreation director) has been working diligently on this for probably 18 months already, trying to find out the best options for us,” he said.
Before council was the option to purchase cameras to stream events to a YouTube channel. The second choice was to have LiveBarn set up the equipment and broadcast games, and a third option would be to go with HomeTeam to also livestream events.
For the first option, the town would need to invest $5,825.28 for cameras and have staff manually turn the recording on and off. Staff also noted that they would plan to ask 501 Audio to install all the necessary components. Since it would be broadcast over YouTube, there would be no cost for people to watch the games while the other two options would require a subscription to view.
Mayor Bot noted he was in favour of the first option, especially since it involved working with a local business that can respond quickly, and that games would be free to enjoy.
“It’s something that we’re giving back,” he said. “We don’t have to charge people, they don’t have to get a subscription.”
Councillor Maggie Rowland made the motion to try the first option — broadcasting via YouTube — but to keep the town’s name on the list for HomeTeam as a backup option. The rest of council voted in favour of her motion, which was carried.
Daycare zoning bylaw amended
A zoning bylaw regarding the height of a proposed fence around the site of Little Miners Community Daycare was amended during last week’s meeting. The daycare is currently renovating a space in the Esterhazy High School and came to council previously with a request to place a higher fence around the future outdoor play area, at that time, seeking a six-foot tall chain link fence. Previously council had decided on a five-foot fence and with the amendment passing last week, there will be a 17-foot setback.
The next step in the process is a public awareness component, sending out letters to residents within a 100-meter radius of the facility, advertising the amendment and a public hearing to be held prior to the Jan. 9 regular meeting of council at 6:15 p.m.
One of the concerns brought forward was visual line of sight where the fence was going.
Janitorial contract
Unlike the last time the town requested tenders for janitorial services, only one company submitted a tender to the Town of Esterhazy.
“Two years ago, we put it out, and I think we had four people put their name in,” said CAO Tammy MacDonald.
This year—as with the last round of tenders—Squeaky Cleaners of Esterhazy submitted a tender.
“Squeaky Cleaners was awarded it two years ago in 2024 to 2025, so this tender is from 2025 to Dec. 31, 2026,” MacDonald said.
Auditor named
Prairie Strong Chartered Professional Accountants was named as this year’s auditor.
Snow Angels policy
Initially, an item brought to the attention of Mayor Bot from a taxpayer, and then delegated to Planning and Development Director Crystal Sabo to work on, the idea of having Snow Angels in Esterhazy came to council’s attention.
“My understanding of it is it’s more of a volunteer thing, that if there’s somebody that is unable to clear their snow, we give them a snow angel sign that they put up in their driveway, and then if somebody has free time, they can go help them out,” mayor Bot said.
The volunteer program would require those in need of shovelling to fill out an application stating there’s nobody in their residence able to remove snow and waiving liability in the event of damage, as Sabo explained to council. Once the application has been submitted, those needing snow removal by volunteers would receive a sign.
Council approved the policy.
