The winter festival is one of the largest community events of the year. (Derek Cornet/larongeNOW Staff)

By Derek Cornet

upcoming decision

Organizers likely to cancel Lac La Ronge Winter Festival

Feb 1, 2021 | 5:00 PM

The fate of the 2021 Lac La Ronge Winter Festival will be announced by organizers later this week.

That’s according to Jonas Roberts Memorial Community Centre (JRMCC) Director of Sports and Recreation Kevin Roberts, who said a final decision should be ready by Friday.

“In all likelihood, we will cancel our winter festival,” he said. “Overall, it’s going to be disappointing because that’s our highlight event of the year. That’s the biggest function we host. We always look forward to our night events, which is usually a 10-day festival going for two weekends.”

In 2020, the winter festival ran from Feb. 28 to March 8 and it featured an array of events such as hockey and sport tournaments, various fundraisers and dances, as well as the King and Queen Trapper competition. Roberts explained the event is one residents always look forward to as it brings in crowds of people.

A decision has already been made in regards to the ice surface at JRMCC and the last day it will be available is Feb. 19. Roberts noted the rink has been quiet since restrictions were introduced in December and, at this point, he doesn’t see hockey returning until at least April.

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“As much as we want to be hopeful and mindful it might still come back, sometimes the writing is on the wall and you just have to make decisions following that,” he said. “The arena side of it is quite expensive, so at the end of the day, we might have to focus on what’s best for us and make some decision you hope you didn’t want to make when you first started the season.”

The ice was added a month earlier than usual in 2020. (Derek Cornet/larongeNOW Staff)

Roberts mentioned it’s difficult to make such decision because it’s his job to facilitate recreation at the centre. There are activities available, however, as he said a baseball camp was held Sunday and he expects yoga and crossfit training to begin soon in groups of eight.

Roberts also noted it’s a promising sign to see positive COVID-19 cases begin to come down in the region. On Feb. 1, there were 10 active cases in the Far North East which includes La Ronge.

“Once the ice is out, it gives us more options for adding bigger numbers,” he said. “Hopefully by that time, some restrictions are eased and we can get into bigger groups in some of the programs and activities we have going.”

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derek.cornet@jpbg.ca

Twitter: @saskjourno