Estevan’s City Council held its first meeting of 2025, focusing largely on housekeeping duties for the new year. However, one notable item on the agenda was the proposed renaming of Churchill Park.
The application to rename the park Roy Ludwig Churchill Park was submitted by former councillor Travis Frank. The proposal highlighted Ludwig’s service to the community from 1991 to 2024, as well as the significant redesign of the park completed during his final year in office.
The application also noted that the name change would align with established naming conventions for parks in the city, such as Dennis Moore Centennial Park and Mel Murray Cactus Park.
Councillor Shelly Veroba expressed support for the motion but noted she was unaware that Frank had submitted it independently, as three former councillors had previously discussed ways to recognize Ludwig’s contributions.
“Dennis Moore, Trevor Knibbs, and Greg Hoffart had also reached out and inquired about different ways to honour the previous mayor Roy Ludwig,” she said. “I think this would be an appropriate spot to put Roy Ludwig’s name on a park, considering we have Dennis Moore Centennial Park, which was completed in his last term.”
Councillor Dave Elliot raised concerns about the city’s policies regarding park naming. “It says right in the application, ‘historic contribution,’” he said. “If it was, for example, United Way Centennial Park, you are talking about a historic contribution I would see as being many times greater.”
Elliot argued that organizations with histories spanning 50 years or more would be better suited for such recognition.
The council ultimately approved the application. Councillor Elliot voted against the motion, while Councillor Dubowski abstained from voting.