HANNA TOWN COUNCIL: Nickelback signage
Policing statistics, facility updates and Nickelback signage highlight meeting.
By Kate Winquist
The Town of Hanna council convened a meeting in their chambers on Wednesday, August 30, 2023. During the meeting, Sgt. Robert Welsman, presented an update on the activities of the Hanna RCMP Detachment and shared policing statistics for the period of April to June 2023.
As part of their community engagement efforts, the police have been actively connecting with various demographic groups. They met with seniors groups to discuss frauds and scams, engaged with the youth at EPIC by giving a presentation, and continue to conduct presentations on areas of concern to school groups.
In a positive development, the Hanna RCMP Detachment is currently fully staffed, which is a rarity. Cst. Westcott recently joined the team, bringing with him a wealth of experience from his previous posting in Red Deer Detachment. He is in the process of settling in Hanna with his wife, and their presence is greatly appreciated by the department.
Regarding crime statistics, there haven't been any significant changes. The key drivers of crime in the area remain domestic violence, mental health calls, and crimes associated with drug use, including some property crimes. These continue to be the primary focus areas for the police in their enforcement and community safety efforts.
Chief Administrative Officer Kim Neill provided an overview of the recent updates and ongoing projects in the community. His report covered various facilities, programs, staffing, and development projects, showcasing the progress made in recent weeks.
The swimming pool season came to a close on Sunday, August 27th, with a memorable dog swim taking place the following day. The staff has already commenced the process of winterizing the pool.
Fox Lake Park has seen a consistently high demand for its full-service campsites since June, with all 17 sites occupied. The popularity of the park underlines its appeal to visitors.
Preparations for the upcoming Rodeo and Queen Contestant Riding Competition are in full swing at the Arena. Once the rodeo concludes, the dirt will be removed for the fall rummage sale on September 23rd, after which the ice for the upcoming ice season will be installed, aiming for a start on October 2nd.
The Curling Rink has hosted a successful series of events, including the weekly Farmers Markets. Additionally, a ball hockey tournament and the first annual Cornhole Tournament were well-received by the community. The curling rink also served as the venue for the fall fair.
The Spray Park has been operating smoothly throughout the season, attracting many visitors, especially during hot weather.
The town's general upkeep is ongoing, with grass cutting, weed eating, and flower display maintenance being carried out regularly across various town-owned properties. Minor tree trimming and removal of dead trees in public areas are in progress. Irrigation lines in all irrigated parks are also being tended to.
Epic Adventures concluded on August 25th, providing participants with an engaging and adventurous experience. Music in the Park held its final performance on Sunday, August 27th.
Commercial Kitchen: A consultant visited the Community Centre kitchen to assess the space. They will be offering a conceptual design and cost estimate for potential improvements.
Staffing: As of August 25th, all secondary and post-secondary student employees have completed their summer assignments. Pool staff members will continue their work until mid-week, focusing on pool cleanup.
Significant progress has been made in the installation of amenities for seniors. Four benches (three placed alongside Palliser Trail and one in Canada Grey Pocket Park) have been installed. A bike rack was placed at Hector King Hunter Park. Furthermore, ten green ash trees were delivered for planting at Canada Grey Park and alongside Palliser Trail.
Airport Runway Lighting Project: The bases for all the lights, as well as the base for the new windsock, have been installed. The project is awaiting the delivery of lights and electrical equipment necessary for the operation of the lighting system within the terminal.
Downtown Redevelopment Project: Community representatives, including Sarah Fratpietro from MPE and Kim Neill, met with downtown business owners to discuss the ongoing downtown redevelopment project. The meeting aimed to gather input and ensure that businesses have a voice in the development process.
Visitor Information Centre: Unfortunately, the Harvest Sky EDC did not receive funding through the Canada Summer Jobs Program, impacting the Visitor Information Centre. Further efforts will be made to secure alternative funding sources to support this vital service.
The Town of Hanna is considering various options to enhance its entrance signage and capitalize on its association with Nickelback. Town Council has decided against replacing the electronic message centre sign at the west entrance and is exploring the idea of incorporating a welcome message or a Nickelback message instead. Nickelback's connection to Hanna is seen as an important aspect that should be acknowledged on all three highway entrance signs, providing consistency for travellers on Highway 36 and Highway 9.
Additionally, a group led by Mark Nikota from the Harvest Sky Region is working on expanding the recognition of Nickelback. They plan to include QR codes on or near the entrance signs, which would guide visitors to specific locations, tourist attractions, and murals within Hanna. These QR codes would be prominently displayed, permanent, and designed to complement the existing signage.
Furthermore, Mayor Povaschuk has personally spoken with Chad Kroeger and Ryan Peake of Nickelback, and they have been following the media coverage surrounding Hanna. The group is exploring ways to attract more visitors to the town and divert traffic from the highway. One idea discussed was having Chad Kroeger provide voiceover instructions on the QR codes to further engage travellers. Chad has shown interest in participating in this initiative. Also, Nickelback was flattered by including their murals on the town's arena and was not worried about potential copyright infringement.
To further capitalize on the existing murals and attract more visitors to Hanna, it may be worth considering additional strategies such as promoting the murals through social media campaigns, organizing guided tours, or collaborating with local businesses to offer discounts or special promotions for visitors. Emphasizing the unique features and attractions of the town can generate interest and encourage more people to visit.