We caught up with Town of Kindersley mayor Rod Perkins back at the end of February to discuss a few things, one of them being the town’s entry into post-restriction times after the vaccine and mask mandates were removed at different points last month. The mayor does agree that the majority of people are done with COVID to some degree and the town reflects that, even though it’s not time to completely let our guard down when it comes to protection against future issues with the virus.

“I think we are doing just fine. Most people I talk to are quite ready to move on, but I don’t think we need to be naive because COVID is still out there and people have to be careful. Kindersley will be following the rules as the Government of Saskatchewan has laid out.”

February saw the province move away from vaccine mandates halfway through the month, and then removed the mask mandate on the last day, while also changing around their public reporting system of COVID cases during the month; all as part of the provinces “transition to living with COVID”. Testing also continues to be widely available, specifically in Kindersley at the local library, Co-op, and Canalta Hotel, as well as at the Chamber of Commerce building, the Town Administration Office, and the West Central Events Centre.

Mayor Perkins described Kindersley and it's Central West reporting region as another spot that fluctuated with cases over the pandemic period. Many communities were likely in a similar spot and also responded a similar way over the past couple of years.

“We started out we did really well for a long time (in the region), but then it kind of went downhill, and we’ve had our runs of it here, and at the local schools, the hockey rink, stuff like that. But all in all right now, it’s not bad at all.”

Eager to finish talking about COVID, the topic shifted to official Town of Kindersley business. Most recently, some news in town came out that the mayor along with council are considering putting together some advertising to attract workers and families to Kindersley, asking residents to submit just where in town is most in need of some outsourced applications. That topic likely came up at the February 28th council meeting, along with more that you can find on the Town of Kindersley website.

Looking at one of the other recent council meetings, one of the topics tabled was the shifting of funds for projects that did not get completed in 2021. According to the meeting’s document from back on February 14th, Kindersley Town Council authorized a transfer of $183,000 for service roads, and $21,466 for recreation as the reserves for the past year in question. 

“It’s projects we actually budgeted for in 2021, but didn’t get finished, or even started, or just chosen not to do. Being that we budgeted for them, we just move that amount into 2022 as a reserve, and when we actually finish the project in 2022 we pull the money back out of the reserves.”

One topic that has come up many times over the past few years is the current state of Kindersley’s downtown core. Main Street has always represented the heart of Kindersley with many longtime businesses continuing to open their doors, and a few new have come in over the years as well. Some examples include a new haircut and relaxation experience at a refurbished building now named The Crafted Hand, and another similar business in Tranquil Spa.

“We’re excited, and have been for the last five and a half years,” said Perkins, whose Deputy Mayor Randy Ervine is a contact for the Downtown Kindersley Association, “We’ve been trying to see what we can do to develop the downtown, and get it stepped up. There have been three or four new businesses opened in the past year which is great.”

Finishing off on a bit of a lighter note, we asked the mayor if he was aware of a recent major story to come out of Kindersley. He was not, as West Central Online continues to chase down a lead on the recent passing of the “Bison Whisperer”, as a recent article profiled Kindersley born Jim Sautner and his domesticated buffaloes.

Perhaps Perkins didn’t come across that news story thanks to his busy schedule, that features getting to as many hockey games as he can. He is a fan of the both the Jr. and Sr. Klippers, but also chases around as much minor hockey as he can with an abundance of options.

“Chasing grand-kids around mainly, but I try to make most of the Klipper games. Unfortunately I was away for a few weeks so I missed a bunch of games, but hopefully I will catch a couple before the season ends.”

Perkins has always been a strong supporter of hockey, though admittedly more towards the junior team and minor hockey. That season is nearing its end as spring approaches, and with it another year of busy times for the Town of Kindersley as a big year of projects is surely in the plans.