ASSINIBOIA — By all accounts, 2024 was another prosperous year for Assiniboia.
Hosting events seems to be the heart and soul of the community and it showcases Assiniboia to those who attend these events and activities. In turn, playing host has economic benefits, bringing in visitors to attractive venues, events and activities.
Â鶹ÊÓƵland Co-op Centre continues to be an attraction factor for residents and visitors alike. In addition to two big ticket events held at the arena, there were off-site WHL and SJHL games. Hockey keeps the place hopping all winter and all of the added attractions at the centre like the virtual room and climbing wall create a hub of the community for everyone to enjoy. Tailgate parties watching games on the exterior screen are a benefit not enjoyed by many communities.
Continued yearly events remain plentiful. With the holidays upon us, never take for granted annual seasonal events such as Twinkle Tour, Festival of Trees, Breakfast with Santa, shopping promotion, Night Lights parade and much more.
Canada Day festivities continue to grow and evolve.
There are many people, places and spaces that have stood out and I have written about this past year. Shurniak Gallery is one such place as it is often mentioned when visitors have been to Assiniboia.
Better Together barbecues this summer are truly doing what they set out to do — unite a community for a common purpose, ensuring everyone recognizes and celebrates that communities like Assiniboia thrive when they are better together. And, it all starts with sharing a meal.
The town must never underestimate the value of school sports events that draw in additional traffic on weekends for tournaments and events like the Friday night lights football events. From volleyball season right through to basketball season, there is non-stop action in the Assiniboia Composite High School gymnasiums hosting regular tournaments or district/conference events for the various sports the school hosts. These activities at the school are a great opportunity to showcase the community and add an economic boost to local business.
The museum is also a popular hot spot for visitors as well as playing host to a variety of events and activities that offer something for all generations to experience and enjoy. This venue run by dedicated volunteers celebrated their 50th anniversary in 2024.
Excitement continues to grow watching the construction of the new Petro-Can C-Store and soon-to-be Dairy Queen franchise.
Golden Â鶹ÊÓƵ Childcare is edging closer to reality, a much-needed service in Assiniboia. The Ross Payant Nursing Home patio is also a welcome addition for staff, residents and their families. Communities in Bloom continues to create a beautiful environment and their addition of a gazebo near the pool was another welcome addition for residents.
Milestone anniversaries celebrated this year showcase the vision, commitment and support in partnership with businesses, organizations and residents. I had the privilege of writing about E. Bourassa and Sons centennial anniversary. Multiple silver anniversary celebrations took place in 2024 including the Assiniboia Apostolic Church, Christmas Lane market and Festival of Trees. Mom’s Florist celebrates 35 years in Assiniboia by adding a new business to their location. The Rotary Club recently held an event to mark 65 years as a service club in Assiniboia. Assiniboia’s Community Choir celebrated their 40th anniversary in 2024. Integra Tire, a family business, held a special celebration for its 30th anniversary.
These are reasons things continue to click in Assiniboia — committed business owners and businesses that chose to renovate, expand or relocate in Unity because they have discovered the opportunity here. Community groups and organizations have strong cores of executives and volunteers who choose to strive for success in these programs.
A strong volunteer core in many areas keeps programs operating — those volunteers who assist in the health care facilities and senior centres, and those who assist with multiple other facets and activities in the community.
Assiniboia is led by strong leadership in mayor and council, reaffirmed by the confidence voters had to acclaim them all for another four-year term. They choose to seek ways to improve the community and be active participants in many of their town’s activities
Assiniboia also has the benefit of a strong Chamber of Commerce that continues to seek ways and lay out plans that will help the business core maintain and improve. As well they offered a celebratory event this year, recognizing all the great people and groups in this community helping them to know they are appreciated in their roles.
The sports organizations in town don’t just run successful programs for participants, they also provide fundraising and hours of volunteer work to help keep recreation venues in a great state making them appreciated by users and noticed by visitors.
What I am trying to drive home is Assiniboia is fortunate and that fortune is brought about by the residents here who choose to give back to their community and act when needed. It’s a community that chooses to collaborate, and often, creates an energetic environment that is collectively contributed to – without chaos – by all those who live in it. There is no community without unity in it.
So, it seems, whether it be due to resilience, perseverance or commitment to growth and the future – another year has shown that Assiniboia is defying the odds that other small towns in Saskatchewan have experienced.
