Gull Lake Town Council has approved the sale of the four lots where the Clarendon Hotel sat to Neinhuis Holding Ltd. for $4 to be developed as a SARCAN Recycling Facility. Let‘s think about any of the towns we like to visit when we‘re taking a little break. Picture that town’s downtown and the things you like to do there. Would that Town put a SARCAN recycling depot in the downtown? They would not, because it wouldn’t add to the inviting environment they have created. Here’s what a SARCAN recycling centre looks like in Saskatchewan: This kind of facility belongs in a commercial area of town, but not in downtown. What would this development do to the property values of home and business owners nearby? Homeowners in the area would now be within shouting distance of a regional recycling facility, with semi trucks driving in to pick up recycling. Our heritage Lyceum Theatre would be sitting across the street from an industrial building. We need to show our downtown the love! Sprinkle on the charm! We want to become the place that people drive out of their way to enjoy the atmosphere, to get together with friends, listen to music and eat great food. None of that will happen next door to a big SARCAN centre. Read Council Minutes at www.gulllakesk.com

In the recent census Gull Lake experienced the biggest population loss among towns of 800 to 1000 people in Saskatchewan. The 2021 census shows the Town’s population dropped 13.2 percent, from 1046 people in 2016, to 908 in 2021. The table below shows population change for towns of 800 to 1100 people. Eleven towns saw their population shrink, with an average decline of 5.8 percent. GullLake’s loss was more than double that, at 13.2 percent. Declining over the years Gull Lake has lost 22 percent of its population since 1986, dropping from 1164 people to 908. Effects of shrinking population A declining population creates economic challenges for a community. Fewer people means fewer individuals available to work, as well as reduced demand for goods and services. That leads to business closures with residents forced to go to other places to find the goods and services they need. With a shrinking population, towns must raise taxes to maintain the same level of service, but higher taxes make the community less attractive to existing or new residents. Fewer people also means fewer volunteers and small towns get much of their energy and programs from their volunteers. Neighbouring southwest towns are growing Most of Gull Lake’s neighbouring towns and villages saw growth between 2016 and 2021. City of Swift Current grew 0.9 percent in the census period, from 16,604 to 16,750. How do we change this trend? Lindsay Aliban is Gull Lake’s Economic Development Officer. She often hears residents say “Gull Lake is too close to Swift Current”—meaning that people go to Swift to shop or work. However she encourages us to see Swift Current as an opportunity and a large market for Gull Lake. As she says, “We are so close to Swift Current that residents choose to visit here for local attractions, affordable recreation, events and to do business!” The Economic Development Committee is taking action to attract people and business by: -getting creative for development and investment, -encouraging local investment, -working with local businesses to promote, expand, and diversify existing businesses, and -collaborating with Tourism, Town Council, local organizations and regional communities. Lindsey encourages residents and local business owners to help by: -sharing our enthusiasm and interest in Gull Lake far and wide. Word of moth and social media shares help attract new residents and businesses; -joining a committee and volunteering ideas and time to build quality of life here in our community. Help plan the future by coming to the Community Action Forum on December 1. All are welcome! Contact Lindsey Aliban or Town Office to register.

The Prairie Handmade Shop turned one this summer and we would like to report on how things are going. The shop relies on volunteers and vendors. Our huge thanks to all of them and to the local community for supporting the shop that showcases handmade creativity. The shop was open for 142 days between June 2021 and end of July 2022. That’s more than 700 hours volunteered. We sold $23,000 worth of goods that ranged from textiles, like handbags, wallets and pillowcases, to freeze-dried candy, wood working and baked scrumptiousness, to many, many other items. 100% of sales go back to vendors. We have 11 vendors at the store now, plus many others who sold temporarily at the store, over Christmas for instance, or who dipped their toe into stocking a retail space. Vendors can choose between paying rent to the store or volunteering there. Vendors paid a total of $5920 in rent and the shop paid $300 per month in rent to the Town of Gull Lake and, more recently, to the owners of the new property. Gull Lake’s Economic Development Committee launched the shop with the goals of encouraging entrepreneurship and creating a unique destination shopping experience in Gull Lake. Mission accomplished! News about the shop has spread by word of mouth and social media, attracting both visitors and locals. This summer Hannah and Cole Girodat purchased the property at 1365 Conrad Avenue to establish their own book and stationery store. That means we’re on the lookout for a new home! If you have space we could rent, or a collaboration to explore, please contact Lindsay Aliban, Economic Development Officer, at 306-741-3775.

Ever wondered what it feels like to be accepted as a vendor at one of the biggest craft shows in North America? Local maker, Paige Farr, and her mother and business partner, Tami McQuillan, can tell us. “It’s an honour to be accepted to the One of a Kind Show,” says Tami. “I would say it’s regarded as the most prestigious show in Canada. It’s a juried show. You have to submit photos and details of your work when you apply and the wait list can be years long. This is the show that vendors talk about all year long!” Paige and Tami are the makers behind Scatterbrain Creations By Paige and Mom. They have earned a reputation for high quality sewing and crafts, with a wide range of handmade items from wallets and bags, to novelty pillowcases, key fobs and hair accessories. “One of the most challenging things about applying to a show is describing what we do and staying under the word limit,” says Paige. “We make a LOT of items and we love novelty, so we rarely make exactly the same thing twice.” Since starting in 1975, the One of a Kind Show has grown into one of the largest and most well attended craft shows in North America. Held spring and fall at Exhibition Place Toronto, the April 2022 show featured over 350 Canadian artisans. How do you stand out at a show of Canada’s most creative and successful makers? Tami believes their business stands out for a couple of reasons. “We are committed to quality and value. Everything from fabric, to design, to the sewing itself, has to be top notch. And we’re down to earth. We make sure things are affordable and we have a wide range of products. Our items start around $5 so you can give a small handmade gift to someone that will be a keepsake for them.” “We make day to day things that people will use and love…we hope!” Paige adds. “We’re now at a stage where customers seek us out. It’s exciting to get the compliments and the repeat business. We do this because we love it!” Find Scatterbrain Creations at The Prairie Handmade Shop, 1365 Conrad Avenue, Gull Lake, where Paige and Tami will be restocking in early May. Follow Scatterbrain Creations on Instagram, or purchase online through their Facebook page.