Enterprise Saskatchewan

Estevan
The first festival in southeast Saskatchewan to promote diversity and cultural awareness, the Collage Cultural Festival, was held in the city. The attendance at the event was over 3,500. Organizers were Pam Gunnlaugson, Southeast Settlement Committee, and Angela Simmons. The festival events went from Thursday to Sunday and included stage events, dancing, food tasting and many activities for children to name a few. (Estevan Mercury, May 19, 2010)

Redvers
PTI Premium Camp Services has set up a camp in Redvers. The dorm-style buildings will house up to 70 people. The camp was needed to accommodate the influx of people due to the increasing oilfield activity in the southeast. (Redvers Optimist, May 15, 2010)

The Redvers and District Oil Showcase had close to 1,150 people attend the two day event, up from 2009. (Redvers Optimist, May 15, 2010)

Safety Source held a grand opening of their business in Redvers. The Virden, Manitoba based company provides safety training and supplies to the oilfield. (Redvers Optimist, May 15, 2010)

Roche Percee
A local group, Southeast Tour & Trails Inc., is moving forward with their plans to restore Roche Percee Park. The regional park has been closed for over a decade but is still used by residents in the area. The Ministry of Tourism has allowed a one year lease to the group. (Estevan Mercury, May 26, 2010)

Stoughton
Colin Vogel is the new owner of the Stoughton Esso station and restaurant. The multi-purpose station is located in the busy oilfield area. (Carlyle Observer, May 21, 2010)

Wawota
Kimi’s Kafe, owner Kimi LaMontagne, has opened for business. (Carlyle Observer, May 14, 2010)

Weyburn
Velour Hair Studio, www.velourhairstudio.com, held a grand opening. Owners and stylists are Brittany Labbee and Rhea Barber. (Weyburn Review, May 19, 2010)

Davidson
Corla Rokochy and family travelled to Toronto recently to pitch a business idea for Snappy Socks to CBC’s television show, Dragon’s Den. The show features aspiring entrepreneurs pitching their products or ideas to the dragons so they can get their businesses financial backing. (The Davidson Leader, Monday, May 17, 2010)

Elbow
Kathy Korbo, owner of The Driftwood Studio and Gift Shop, announced that she would not renew her contract with Canada Post after its expiration. Korbo’s shop is home to the Elbow post office and provided postal services for 15 years. (The Davidson Leader, Monday, May 17, 2010)

Moose Jaw
Mayor Glenn Hagel, Moose Jaw & District Chamber of Commerce executive director, Brian Martynook, and South Central Enterprise Region Chairman, Barry Gunther, will be heading to China in June to look at the possibility Moose Jaw and China’s Queen’s Tower can work together on locating a wholesale distribution centre for Chinese manufactured goods in Moose Jaw. (The Moose Jaw Times Herald, Thursday, May 20, 2010)

There is a new housing development in West Park Village which is located at Ninth Avenue Northwest and Thatcher Drive West in Moose Jaw that will feature 750 lots in the city. Families could be in the new homes by mid-spring 2011. (The Moose Jaw Times Herald, Saturday, May 22, 2010)

Ogema
The grand opening of a New Day Spa and Wellness Centre was held in Ogema. A Touch of Wellness, designed by Rena Mazer and Dawna Mellon, provides accessibility to anyone and everyone who wants to focus on total well being. (Deep South Star, Thursday, May 20, 2010)

Battleford
Creative Interiors grand opening was held. The location is on 22nd Street. (News Optimist, May 12, 2010)

Loon Lake
Parkland Hardware owners, Rick and Diane Merz, have opened a new RONA store on Highway 26 near Loon Lake. (Northern Pride, May 25, 2010)

Meadow Lake
Martin Bishop and Elden Pethick have sold M & E Auto Repair to Extreme Speed RV owner, Chris Morgenstern. (Northern Pride, May 18, 2010)

The Saskatchewan Transportation Company’s (STC) Meadow Lake bus depot has moved to the Four Season’s Motel on the highway. (Northern Pride, May 18, 2010)

The renovations on Dr. Budd’s dental clinic, formerly the Innovation Credit Union building, are expected to be complete by July 2010. (Northern Pride, May 18, 2010)

McCallum’s Autobody has expanded to a 24 hour towing service; also offering courtesy vehicles and accident clean up. (Northern Pride, May18, 2010)

Insta Loan, a financial convenience business, is now open. (Meadow Lake Progress, May 21, 2010)

North Battleford
The City of North Battleford was awarded a silver medal for Regional Leadership and Partnerships at the recent Saskatchewan Municipal Awards ceremony. (Daily News Online, May 18, 2010)

The North Battleford Service Centre for Youth (SCCY) is now open. The center provides young people with job postings, interview advice, resume building and job search strategies. (Regional Optimist, May 14, 2010)

The grand opening of the Saulteaux First Nations new community complex took place in May. (Regional Optimist, May 14, 2010)

Work remains on schedule for the new Yellowhead Power Station being built in the Parsons Industrial Park area of North Battleford. The facility is scheduled to come into service by December 2010. (Regional Optimist, May 14, 2010)

Battlefords Industrial Career Centre (BICC) in partnership with Saskatchewan Indian Institute of Technologies (SIIT) held a grand opening. (The News Optimist, May 19, 2010)

Innovation Credit Union celebrated their grand re-opening following completion of their renovations. (Daily News Online/News Optimist, May 2010) 

Humboldt
Tim Horton’s is set to begin construction in June as a new tenant at the Quill Centre on the west side of Humboldt. (Humboldt Journal, May 19, 2010)

Discovery Ford and Discovery Motor Sports have moved to a new location, consolidating their operations. Owners are Gord Lees and Steve Dillabough. (Humboldt Journal, May 12, 2010)

Melfort
Prairie North Co-op Food Store in the Melfort Mall is undergoing some renovations that will start in June and end in November or December. Major changes will be to the fresh product departments such as the Deli and Bakery. General Manager is Gord Dmytruk. (The Melfort Journal, May 25, 2010)

Ken’s Cresting celebrated their grand opening at their new location. Owners are Ken Trach and Nouvelle Trach. (The Melfort Journal, May 25, 2010)

Prince Albert
City council has approved a development permit for the new Prince Albert Co-operative Food store. The new facility will be located next to the currently operating gas station at 15th Street East at Cornerstone. That building will be complemented by a 10,000 square foot, two storey building that will have retail downstairs and the offices of the Prince Albert Co-op upstairs. Construction is expected to finish by June 2011. (Prince Albert Daily Herald, May 26, 2010)

City Council has approved up to four new apartment/condominium buildings to be built on 25th Street West next to the hospital. Construction is set to begin this spring. (Prince Albert Daily Herald, May 20, 2010)

Suzanne’s, a ladies retail clothing store, is closing its doors this month. (Prince Albert Daily Herald, May 18, 2010)

Churchill Corporation is vastly expanding its footprint in Western Canada through its $390 million cash acquisition of Seacliff Construction Corp. continuing the trend toward consolidation in Canada’s construction sector. Seacliff just recently purchased the Broda Group of Companies, which is based in Prince Albert. Transaction and integration costs are estimated at $13 to $15 million, for items such as severance, lease cancellations, information systems integration and process changes. (Prince Albert Daily Herald, May 18, 2010)

A new salon, HideAway Nails and Beauty, opened for business. One of the unique services being offered is to seniors for hand and foot treatments in their homes. Keri Whitrow is shop owner and operator. (Prince Albert Daily Herald, May 17, 2010)

Watrous
Brendan Manz is the new Community Development Officer for the Watrous Manitou Marketing Group which includes the communities of Watrous, Manitou Beach and the Rural Municipality of Morris. (The Watrous Manitou, May 24, 2010)

The Burger Corral, a fast food restaurant, will now be open for business year round. New owner/operator is Carey Smith. (The Watrous Manitou, May 17, 2010)

Fort Qu’Appelle
Darryn Brooks and family are the new owners of Bounty on Boundary Restaurant. (The Fort Qu’Appelle Times, May 25, 2010)

Regina
After two and a half years of planning and development, as well as the expenditure of over $60 million, The Co-operators Centre officially opened. The completion of the Centre marks the end of phase one of the renewal plans for Evraz Place. Phase two is already underway and includes bulldozing the old barns at the west end of the property to develop that area. (Leader Post, May 15, 2010)

The grand opening of the new location of the Habitat for Humanity’s ReStore was held. Its new facility is 15,000 square feet, located on Broder Street. (Leader Post, May 15, 2010)

The $55 million Saskatchewan Disease Control Laboratory officially opened in May. It is one of the most complicated buildings ever built in the province of Saskatchewan. The Disease Control Laboratory is located on Research Drive at Innovation Place. (Leader Post, May 18, 2010)

The final phase of the Lakeridge subdivision is underway. Workers from NIS Contractors Ltd. are currently installing infrastructure for residential lots. (Leader Post, May 18, 2010)

The Canadian Chiropractic Research Foundation announced a $500,000 gift to the University of Regina to establish the Chiropractic Research Chair in Neuromusculoskeletal health to be housed in the facility of kinesiology and health studies. Dr. Paul Bruno of the Anglo-European College of Chiropractic in Bournemouth, England, will become the research chair on July 1st. (Leader Post, May 19, 2010)

Colin O’Brian Man’s Shoppe Ltd. moved their store to a new 4000 square foot location on Hamilton Street, offering more space for merchandise and giving their customers more breathing room. The new store is more than twice the size of the old location. The new building is an impressive combination of two levels of retail merchandising. Colin O’Brian Man’s Shoppe Ltd. has been in business for over 25 years. (Leader Post, May 19, 2010)

The Deli Llama restaurant, located on Scarth Street, is now open for business. (Regina Downtown, May 2010)

Comic Readers new location is on 11th Avenue. (Regina Downtown, May 2010)

WEConnect Canada is a newly launched Canadian non-profit organization that qualifies firms that are owned, managed and controlled by women. WEConnect then links them to the multi billion dollar public and private sector procurement and supply network. It’s creating a global network of women owned business enterprises who want to grow their business and have access to export markets. (Leader Post, May 21, 2010)

The Consumers’ Co-operative Refineries Ltd. celebrated its 75th anniversary in May. (Leader Post, May 27, 2010)

The Regina Trades and Skills Centre (RTSC) have purchased the Turner Crossing Mall on Albert Street for $4.6 million. RTSC, which offers pre-trade training courses, is currently located in the Turner Mall. (Leader Post, May 28, 2010)

Saskatoon
The Saskatchewan Immigrant Nominee Program (SINP) opened a new office downtown that will provide newcomers to Saskatoon, community-based organizations and businesses with easier access to the tools and information they need. (Star Phoenix, May 15, 2010)

The Conference Board of Canada’s outlook for housing starts in the Saskatoon region remains unchanged from April. Saskatoon had one of the nation’s highest increases in housing starts; 2,354 homes were under construction in April. Price increases in the Saskatoon region's resale housing market are expected to grow during the next year. According to the Conference Board of Canada's metro resale index, prices for resale homes are set to rise by at least seven per cent during the next 12 months. The report indicated both home sales and listings in the region have dropped, but the average price of a resale home has risen by 1.6 per cent from last year to $290,404. (Star Phoenix, May 22, 2010; Star Phoenix, May 15, 2010)

Figures from the Saskatoon Region Association of Realtors show more homes have been sold in the region during the first four months of the year (1,526) than during the same period in 2009 (1,356). The average sale price for a home in the Saskatoon area as of April is also higher than April 2009, at $299,214 compared to $275,455. (Star Phoenix, May 26, 2010)

Housing starts, home sales, average house prices and apartment vacancy rates are all expected to rise in the Saskatoon region this year and next. Canada Mortgage and Housing Corp. (CMHC) said in its spring outlook that job growth, rising incomes and sustained in-migration is strengthening Saskatoon's economy and is leading to residential real estate growth. Of the 1,600 expected housing starts this year, 1,250 are expected to be single detached homes, a 14 per cent increase over last year. The remaining 350 starts fall into the multi family category. (Star Phoenix, May 20, 2010)

With 8,795 business licenses issued in 2009, an increase of 350 licenses, the home-based business sector continues to show growth in Saskatoon. The city has already issued 420 business licenses from January, almost 100 more than last year. Some growth in business licenses may be attributed to new Canadians moving to Saskatoon and choosing entrepreneurship. A recent study conducted by Angus Reid shows that entrepreneurial intentions are not expected to slow; with one in three Canadians interested in starting a business, Saskatchewan ranked third for entrepreneurial intentions. (Star Phoenix, May 18, 2010)

The Saskatchewan Health Research Foundation's budget was reduced by 14 per cent or $875,000 this year, an unexpected hit for an agency that's halfway through implementing a 10 year plan to strengthen health research in the province. (Star Phoenix, May 19, 2010)

SIAST Kelsey campus will open a new day care facility in August 2010. The day care is part of a provincial and federal funded $20 million project to renovate and retrofit Mount Royal Collegiate. In addition to the day care, the Saskatoon Skills and Trade Centre (STSC) will relocate into the school and five SIAST programs will be held at Mount Royal. (Star Phoenix, May 28, 2010)

The Saskatoon Health Region has launched a new representative workforce strategic action plan, Awaken the Power of Change, to increase the number of First Nations and Métis employees. This plan will run through to 2014. (Star Phoenix, May 28, 2010)

The Black Lake Denesuline First Nation has acquired 25 percent of West Wind Aviation. The parties involved say the agreement will result in economic growth for the Black Lake community and provide additional employment opportunities. (Star Phoenix, May 22, 2010)

PotashCorp will match dollar for dollar donations raised, up to $100,000, to fund the Community Legal Assistance Services for Saskatoon’s Inner City (CLASSIC). If the group can manage to raise $100,000 by the end of November, with that figure being matched by PotashCorp, it would be an important step towards becoming sustainable. (Star Phoenix, May 27, 2010)

Porsche Canada will park its 13th national dealership in Saskatoon due to the city’s growing economy. Vaughn Wyant is getting behind the wheel of the Porsche franchise. (Star Phoenix, May 17, 2010)

Sous Chef owners, Vasani Beemal and Brad Miln, opened a third store location, this time in the Saskatoon Farmer’s Market. The downtown location features more take home fare and is a hybrid between the Erindale and King George locations. (Star Phoenix, May 15, 2010)

New Businesses:

• Riverbend Plantation, owners Grace and Lee Whittington. (Star Phoenix, May 15, 2010)
• Garlic Guru, owner Teresa Giesbrecht. (Star Phoenix, May 15, 2010)
• Rainbow International Restoration & Cleaning, owners Shea and Randy Ratzlaff. (Star Phoenix, May 22, 2010)
• Mutt Hutt Grooming, owner Nikki Pavelich. (Star Phoenix, May 22, 2010)
• Penney Murphy & Associates, owner Penney Murphy. (Star Phoenix, May 22, 2010)

Consul
Manley Bread & Honey is celebrating one year in business. (Maple Creek News, May 27, 2010)

Kindersley
The Kindersley Chamber of Commerce held their Chamber luncheon in May and provided answers regarding the Kindersley and District Plains Museum. The group hopes to have the facility open by October 1st. The lobby will be built later when the construction of the new arena is built with the target to have the new rink finished by the fall of 2011. (The Clarion, Kindersley, May 19, 2010)

Maple Creek
The Cypress Health Region in partnership with the Southwest Healthcare Project Oversight Committee has selected Santec Consulting to lead the functional planning phase of the new Integrated Health Care Facility project. (The Southwest Booster, May 27, 2010)

Rosetown
The Rosetown Husky and Bus Depot were saluted by Saskatchewan Transportation Company for winning the Agency Recognition Award for Revenue Growth. (The Rosetown Eagle, May 17, 2010)

Shaunavon
Kyle Bennett of Bennett Real Estate Ventures has purchased approximately six acres of land from the town to build new structures. A state-of-the-art, 10,000 square foot mini-mall will be constructed at the busiest intersection, the corner of 3rd Avenue and Highway 37. There will also be an 1800 square foot Subway welcomed by the community. Bennett is also exploring the idea of a new hotel. (The Shaunavon Standard, May 18, 2010)

Southwest
The Southwest Enterprise Region’s broadband initiative focuses on economic growth supporting business and industry, and creating competitive advantages at the regional, national and international level. It provides the region with technical capabilities necessary to access critical resources, services and products. (Maple Creek Times, May 25, 2010)

Swift Current
Mick MacBean, one of the new managing directors of Triwest Capital Partners in Calgary, former CEO of Diamond Energy Services, will become a principal in the firm. Triwest have both operational and financial expertise making an effective partnership in creating shareholder value. (Southwest Booster, May 13, 2010)

The Saskatchewan Country Music Awards will be in Swift Current at the Sky Centre on April 1-3, 2011. (Swift Current Online, May 26, 2010)

Pharmasave and R.J. Moving and Storage are the two businesses who will be accepting recognition for their selection to the SCBEX Business Hall of Fame at the 2009 SCBEX awards this Friday. (The Southwest Booster, May 27, 2010)

Standard Motors will celebrate their 100th year anniversary on June 3, 2010. (The Southwest Booster, May 27, 2010)

Ituna
Leslie Goodrich has opened up Hotel Hair Salon. (Ituna News, May 17, 2010)

Safety Bath Inc., a manufacturer of the walk-in bathtubs since 1992, has received the ADEX (Awards for Design Excellence) 2009-2010 Platinum Award for its Leisure Island Chromatherapy Deck Tub and the ADEX Gold Award for its SoLo with Heated Shower Deck. This is the third consecutive year that Safety Baths has received awards from ADEX. (Ituna News, May 17, 2010)

Kamsack
Organization For Positive Change (OFP) is a new non-profit organization which is launching a 32 week pilot project called The More Than Ever Before Program (MTEBP) at Keeseekoose First Nation. The focus of the MTEBP is to give First Nations youth options for education and increase opportunities for a better economic future. (Kamsack Times, May 27, 2010)

Melville
Cassie Hein has purchased Unique Expressions Studio from Dan and Deb Goebel. (The Melville Advance, May 26, 2010)

Regional
Saskatchewan East Enterprise Region (SEER), along with Enterprise Saskatchewan, Saskatchewan Mining Association and Saskatchewan Trade and Export Partnership, hosted a Mining Supply Chain Workshop. Topics included supplier pre-qualification, trends in drawing techniques as well as practical advice, quality management and understanding the supply chain process. (Yorkton This Week, May 12, 2010)

Yorkton
Cam Mehling has opened up Home Solutionz by Mehling Inc. A grand opening was held. (Yorkton This Week, May 26, 2010)

A new housing project for youths held a ground breaking ceremony. The approximately $854,000 project is being funded by the province, the city and Yorkton Transitional Homes for Youth. Two separate buildings, one for males and one for females, will offer semi-independent living for youth without a steady home. The project is expected to be completed in November 2010. (Yorkton This Week, May 26, 2010)

A sod turning ceremony on the Morrison Pointe Condominium, a 24 unit condominium project, was held. This is the first phase of a project by Remai Group developers. They are planning a total of three condos, offering a total of 81 units. When completed, the project will cost approximately $5 million dollars. (Yorkton This Week, May 26, 2010)

The 4th annual Saskatchewan Municipal Awards, recognizing and celebrating excellence and innovation on the part of Saskatchewan municipalities, was held recently in Regina. Winners were:

• Municipal Service Excellence – City of Regina;
• Economic Development Leadership – Rural Municipality (RM) of Hart Butte No. 11, RM of Poplar Valley No. 12, RM of Willow Bunch No. 42, RM of Old Post No. 43, RM of Stonehenge No. 73, Town of Coronach, and Town of Rockglen;
• Regional Leadership and Partnerships – REACT Waste Management District (consisting of 47 municipal members);
• Community Development Leadership – City of Saskatoon;
• Environmental Stewardship – RM of Canwood No. 494, Village of Debden, and Village of Canwood;
• Heritage Conservation Leadership – Town of Ogema. (Enterprise Saskatchewan)

Wholesale trade statistics for March indicate that Saskatchewan was up 20.9 per cent in March 2010 over March 2009, the best percentage increase in Canada and more than double the 10.3 per cent recorded on a national basis. (Enterprise Saskatchewan News Release, May 19, 2010)