MELVILLE — A program aimed at strengthening youth engagement in municipal decision-making has earned the City of Melville recognition at the 19th annual Saskatchewan Municipal Awards.
Melville’s youth council initiative received the Top Urban Municipal Initiative award, highlighting efforts to strengthen communication between young residents and municipal leadership.
The program was created to give youth in the community a stronger voice in civic issues while encouraging leadership development and participation in local government.
Through the initiative, young residents have opportunities to share ideas, participate in discussions related to city council and help lead community-based activities focused on recreation, wellness and youth involvement.
The program also supports the city’s broader strategic goal of improving engagement with younger residents.
Melville shared the Top Urban Municipal Initiative recognition with the City of Weyburn, which operates a youth council advisory program that provides young people with direct involvement in municipal governance.
Among the other winners was the City of Meadow Lake, which received the Top Municipal Initiative award for the Co-op Centre recreation facility.
The project followed the loss of the Meadow Lake and District Arena in June 2021 and resulted in a new multipurpose community hub designed to host sporting events, cultural gatherings and regional activities.
In southeastern Saskatchewan, the Rural Municipality of Moosomin No. 121 received the Top Rural Municipal Initiative award for the Moosomin Municipal Airport Project.
The upgraded airport infrastructure allows for air ambulance access, improving emergency medical transportation to specialized hospitals.
A regional co-operation award was also presented for the Satellite Fire Hall project involving the Rural Municipality of Wheatlands No. 163, the Rural Municipality of Caron No. 162, the villages of Caronport and Mortlach, and the hamlet of Caron.
The facility improves emergency response times across a large service area by expanding fire coverage.
