Town of Eston looking at new sports association
By Stu Salkeld
Local Journalism Initiative Reporter
Your West Central Voice
ESTON—The Town of Eston council has given its approval to explore changing the way some sports are managed in the community. A resolution was passed at the June 23 regular meeting of council.
Chief Administrative Officer (CAO) Jody Irwin said in a phone call with Your West Central Voice on June 29 that Eston council, along with the R.M. of Snipe Lake, has been discussing changes to the way certain sports activities are handled in the municipality for some time.
Irwin said Eston is one of very few municipalities where municipal staff manage certain sports activities that, in many other communities, are typically overseen by a non-profit society or association.
As it turns out, Irwin noted town council was approached by a group of volunteers interested in forming a sports association to manage these activities, at least to a certain extent. The CAO said the volunteers indicated the new association would focus on the athletes, while the town would continue to manage the sports facilities and handle the finances.
Irwin said the proposal represents new ground for the Town of Eston. As councillors discussed the request, it was noted the transition could be introduced gradually and, if successful, additional responsibilities could be handed over to the non-profit association in the future.
Irwin said the new association would go a long way toward reducing the workload on town staff when it comes to managing certain sports leagues.
She added that councillors have expressed interest in the idea in the past and enjoyed meeting in person with the volunteers proposing the new association.
The CAO said both the town and the R.M. have discussed the proposal, and town council has passed a resolution supporting the idea. However, before it can move forward, the R.M. will also have to pass a similar resolution.
If the proposal proceeds, it would initially apply to hockey, baseball and softball, but could eventually be expanded to include other sports.
Irwin said the matter will return to a future meeting of council.