mARteNsville messeNgeR - JANUARY 26 , 2017 - Page 5
Martensville Speedway : an Uncertain Future
Ciara O ’ Reilly , Martensville Messenger
During the City of Martensville ’ s council meeting January 17th , council members were met with a proposal to consider from Saskatoon Kart Racer spokesperson , Jaret Waddell . The club is asking for the City of Martensville to extend its lease on the facility ( Martensville Speedway ) in order to improve the surface of the asphalt track . Improvements are well needed in order for the track to be kept within use . Waddell mentioned that if the improvements are not made , the track will more than likely become completely unusable in just a few years . Already , the surfacing of the track has degraded to an extent at which regional and national events can no longer be held .
Built in the year of 2002 by SKR volunteers , Martensville Speedway is coming to the end of its 20- year lease . The lease was signed with SKR to operate and maintain the city-owned property which is located at the
eastern end of 9th Street North . “ We are requesting that the lease be extended by 25 years , or a new lease be drawn up for 25 years from date of signing . This term will allow SKR to take advantage of the usable life of the nearly half-million dollar investment required for the track to be viable ,” proposed Waddell .
The Saskatoon Kart Racers ( SKR ) club intends to take on the resurfacing project through many fundraising events . The current objective is to invest a possible $ 400,000 worth of upgrades to the speedway track , and is primarily asking the City of Martensville to extend its current lease on the city-owned land to make the project feasible . The current lease is set to expire in May of 2022 . “ The time has come for us to consider making a significant reinvestment in the track ,” said Waddell in his presentation to council . “ The racing surface of the track itself is failing . The club is prepared to make the needed investment , but we need to have the certainty of a longer lease period to justify making that investment .” The third option being proposed by the club is for the city to make a financial donation toward the improvements , and to extend the existing lease by 15 years .
If terms of events do not go as planned and the lease cannot be extended , Waddell said that the club would need to direct its fundraising efforts into finding and securing a long-term lease on another
piece of land elsewhere and essentially build a new track . “ If this were the case , we would likely not be able to find the $ 1 million necessary to prepare the land and construct the track ,” Waddell stated .
“ As a result , we would be forced to cease operations .” The SKR community remains positive , and plans for a future with the track even if the lease is not granted by the City of Martensville ( the grant remains the preferable option ). However , that being said obvious financial setbacks will stand within the way of the track ; especially in the events of the possibility in starting a new lease and track relocation . Martensville Speedway ’ s best chance for the future lies within our city .
Over the past several years , SKR members have kept up with the maintenance of the land while making many improvements along the way . The speedway site has been enhanced with improvements including the purchasing of commercial grade lawn care equipment for maintenance of the grounds , hauling in dirt to backfill low areas and promote better drainage , installation of new racing curbs , new fenced and gated outdoor storage areas , equipping the clubhouses with washrooms and new fixtures , and planting and maintaining poplar trees around the perimeter . With over 50 members of SKR , the track has seen 15 years of local , provincial and western Canadian go-kart championship races . The track is also used by the Saskatchewan Mini Road Racers minibike club , wheelchair athletes and local seniors . The track is well used by racers of all ages .
Kart Racing is truly fun for the whole family , racers as young as eight years old are encouraged to take to the track . The request for decision will be considered by the City Council and resolved at a later date .
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ABOVE : Eight CanSkaters attended the CanSkate Funfest in Langham on January 22nd . One skater missing in photo .( Photo submitted ) RIGHT : Nine
STARSkaters performed in the Regional Invitational Competition in Clavet Jan . 21st & 22nd . ( Photo submitted )
Martensville Skaters Participate in CanSkate Funfest Shanine Sealey , Martensville Messenger
Skate Martensville sent eight CanSkaters to attend the CanSkate Funfest that took place in Langham on January 22nd . “ They all had a blast while showing the judge the skills that they have learned so far this season ,” Shelley Kobelsky of Skate Martensville explained . “ We are very proud of how far all of our CanSkaters have come this year and we can ’ t wait to see what they will show us at our Carnival .”
The local skating club also had nine STARSkaters attend the Regional Invitational Competition in Clavet on January 21st and 22nd . “ Our skaters had a blast and performed very well . We are extremely proud of their performance and their enthusiasm as they cheered their team members on ,” Kobelsky added . The STARSkaters competed in free-skate , spins , jumps and team events .
In total , the CanSkaters and STARSkaters received 9 Gold , 14 Silver and 11 Bronze in the two events .
For more information on Skate Martensville , visit www . skatemartensville . ca , or contact them at ( 306 ) 382-4070 or skatingclub1 @ gmail . com .