The City of Weyburn held the fourth annual Public Works & Emergency Services Open House event on Wednesday, with an excellent turnout according to Kevin Linnen, the Superintendent of Public Works.
"It was unreal, actually, this year. We kind of all agreed after the fact that was probably our best attendance yet with these events that we have had. So it was really good to see."
"We had our crack sealer on display and also that new cold planer that we have, we had it on display there on the front of one of the skid steers. So there were lots of questions about that which was interesting and that's to help fix the roads a lot quicker process and a better repair," Linnen noted.
As for numbers, it was estimated upwards of 300 or more attended the event, with many questioning if and how the barbecue burgers, hot dogs, chips, popcorn, and drinks could all be free of charge.
"People were very thankful. A lot of people did question if there was a cost to this and we said, "No, absolutely not. This is for the taxpayers. This is our opportunity to give back to the citizens of Weyburn and kind of show off the equipment, especially the new stuff that we've purchased from the previous year."
A new addition this year was a putting range, which provided even more fun for the children, with the return of a kid favourite, the giant indoor sandbox.
"We were thinking about having it outside and then I thought, well, we know the way the weather can change so quick, which it did actually on us and it did rain for a short couple of minutes there. So I'm glad we put it inside and then it's good because we can put the tables around, the parents can watch the kids interact and hang out with each other."
Many of the children present, however, also enjoyed the equipment that served as interactive displays.
"There were all the kids interacting, getting involved with the indoor sandbox, and the amount of kids that wanted to get up into the equipment and sit in the seats. That's really good because the operators take a lot of pride in that, so that's it's nice to see them get involved," he shared. "Every one of those pieces of equipment and attachments that were outside are stored in our new 33,500 square foot fleet building."
"The amount of kids this year absolutely blew us away. I bet you there were more kids here than probably even two previous years combined. And I think we're grooming some future operators that I'll be hopefully signing up someday!"
For those who were drawn more to the emergency services, Weyburn's finest did not disappoint.
"I'd like to send a big shout-out and thanks to the Weyburn police and tactical unit. They had their surveillance drone that was flying around inside, which was excellent. The kids loved that - I did too, not going to lie. And then also to the Weyburn Fire Department and volunteers for opening up their trucks and the rescue unit and just being there to answer all kinds of questions. That was great."
Linnen also expressed a huge thanks to the City of Weyburn staff for all of their hard work.
"A lot of time and prep goes into washing all the equipment, getting everything cleaned up, organized in the yard, cleaning up the fleet shop, organizing, getting all the tables set up. It's quite an undertaking, so a huge shout out to the staff and then especially to the citizens of Weyburn for coming out and supporting us."
