The AGM of Valley-West Community Justice Committee will be held on Thursday , June 16 , 7:30 p . m . conference room at the Legends Centre , Warman . The restorative justice process allows the victim and offender to participate in the resolution of conflict . The Committee serves the Warman Detachment area and the public is invited to attend . If you ’ d like more information about restorative justice or the committee , call Judy Morris ( 306-975-1610 ).
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Sask Central Victim Services a Positive Addition to Martensville
Lacie Munholland , Martensville Messenger
Victim Services is now available to individuals who live in Martensville and surrounding area . The Sask Central Victim Services branch opened in April 2015 , and provides support to numerous communities , including : Warman , Martensville , Saskatoon Rural , Kindersley , Rosetown , Unity , Biggar , Outlook , Humboldt , Watrous , Craik , Luseland , Corman Park , Vanscoy , Dalmeny , and surrounding areas . Sask Central Victim Services is in partnership with Sask Justice and the RCMP . This partnership allows staff and volunteers to provide services to victims of crime , and those dealing with traumatic events by offering support , information , referral , and advocacy .
Sask Central Victim Services is able to provide its services to the public due to volunteer support . Individuals who wish to volunteer for victim services go through a rigorous screening process , as well as a 30 hour + training commitment . Volunteers have found being part of victim services fulfilling : “ I wanted to be involved in the community and be able to give back to the community . It ’ s nice that you can give as much time as you are able to – you choose what ’ s a comfortable commitment for you ” commented Vanessa , a Sask Central Victim Services Volunteer . Volunteers complete an initial 30 hours of training , dealing with topics such as : who is considered a victim / survivor of crime , how to support those in crisis , court support , Victim Impact Statements
protocol , the cycle of abuse and compensation , to name a few . After this training , volunteers are given the opportunity to complete further training . Sask Central volunteers have participated in Mental Health First Aid Training , Little Warriors ( Child Sexual Abuse Prevention ), and Applied Suicide Intervention Skills Training ( ASIST ). ASIST , intensive two-day training allowed volunteers to discuss the stigma and attitudes around suicide , as well as methods and approaches to intervene in a suicide crisis . Volunteers found the mandatory training useful and informative : “ It ’ s really good to have a course like this – it ’ s useful for life in general , not just victim services ,” stated one volunteer .
When not directly supporting individuals , Sask Central Victims Services wishes to raise awareness to victims of crime and trauma . To raise awareness around Victims and Survivors of Crime Week , Sask Central Victim Services is hosting a Bike Auction and BBQ June 2 , 2016 from 4:30pm-7:00pm . The event is being held at the Martensville RCMP detachment with bikes being donated by both Martensville and Warman RCMP detachments . All proceeds are donated to Sask Central Victims Services , while the event is funded by the Department of Justice Canada .
Victims and Survivors of Crime Week is from May 29 to June 24 , 2016 . The week is an annual event through Justice Canada Policy Centre for Victim Issues . The main goal of the week is to raise awareness regarding the issues that victim and survivors of crime face . The week also aims to raise awareness to those individuals who support victims and survivors of crime and tragic events . The week was previously National Victims of Crime Awareness Week , but has evolved to include survivors of crime , a move to acknowledge individuals who have overcome victimization and identify themselves as survivors of crime . The theme for this year ’ s awareness-raising week is ‘ The Power of Our Voices ,’ which aims to highlight how important the role of a victim is during a crime or tragic event .
The Sask Central Victim Services main office is located at the RCMP detachment in Martensville . For more information , or to become a volunteer , contact Sheri Watkins at 306-361- 9111 or sheri . watkins @ rcmp-grc . gc . ca
BELOW : Jose Pruden from ASIST was on hand to help with training for Victim Services volunteers .
Residents Provide Feedback on Warman Aquatic Facility
Lacie Munholland , Martensville Messenger
The City of Warman is asking residents for their feedback on a proposed indoor aquatic centre at the city ’ s annual open house Tuesday May 12 . If residents show interest , the City wants more information : how long will they wait for it to be built , and how much they ’ re willing to pay were top questions .
An indoor aquatic facility has been discussed in the community at length , and has been on the City Council ’ s radar as a longterm project . The aquatic facility ’ s future has a lot to do with available funding resources , specifically how much Warman residents are willing to pay for such a facility .
Warman Finance Manager
North Commuter Bridge Update
Lacie Munholland , Martensville Messenger
The North Commuter Bridge is on track to being completed by October 2018 . Dan Willems , Director of Major Projects says “ work is progressing well and is on track .” Construction crews are raising the east bank of
Brett Ferguson commented : “ We know there ’ s a desire out there for a facility like this because many people have expressed an interest in it . What we ’ re trying to determine now is whether it is feasible from a taxpayer ’ s point of view . “ The best way to determine that is to ask the people directly .”
Why an indoor facility ? Warman doesn ’ t see the point in building an outdoor aquatic facility , as Martensville already has one . Warman city council has been asked to come up with several different funding scenarios . Ferguson explained the various options , the first being the City borrowing and debt financing a $ 25 million facility . That option means annual debt payments of $ 2 million for 20 years . Ferguson added
the river at the North Commuter Bridge site , while other work in progress includes leveling earth for the roads from McOrmond Road and Central Avenue , as well as excavation for the river piers .
Excavation for one pier that recreation facilities generally don ’ t break even , so there is extra costs associated with keeping them open – up to $ 500,000 a year . Adding this cost into the mix , annual payments go up , translating into higher payments for property owners – around $ 650 a year . Another option is to set aside money - $ 200 / taxpayer per year , it would take roughly 34 years to save up enough money for the facility .
In conclusion , the City of Warman is interested in residents opinions on the project – if there is enough interest , further steps will be taken regarding the project : public engagement , feasibility study and a more specific open house .
is already complete , with the placement of the pier estimated in the next couple of months .
Construction on the Attridge Drive and Central Avenue intersection is estimated to begin May 30 – electronic message boards will be in place to warn the public .
ABOVE : Work has begun on the North Commuter Bridge in Saskatoon .
The AGM of Valley-West Community Justice Committee will be held on Thursday , June 16 , 7:30 p . m . conference room at the Legends Centre , Warman . The restorative justice process allows the victim and offender to participate in the resolution of conflict . The Committee serves the Warman Detachment area and the public is invited to attend . If you ’ d like more information about restorative justice or the committee , call Judy Morris ( 306-975-1610 ).