La Ronge was one of four Canadian communities chosen for a ParticiPark. (Image Credit: Town of La Ronge)

By Derek Cornet

accessibility

Construction of new park could start this spring

Mar 11, 2026 | 2:50 PM

Construction of a delayed park project in La Ronge’s Robertson Drive area will likely begin this spring. 

A ParticiPARK is a pilot project funded by the Public Health Agency of Canada to improve health among Canadians facing health inequalities and are at greater risk of developing chronic diseases. The local park was initially supposed to break ground in 2024 after public consultations was held in 2023. 

At a regular meeting on Monday, council was asked if they would defer the project until 2027 in light of various potential residential developments underway.  

“The thought was there’s an outskirts kind of section near Robertson Drive, and if that area grows, that will be an ideal spot to put one,” Chief Administrative Officer Lyle Hannan said.

“The question for council today was really more do you want to pause and wait and see what ends up happening over the next year or are you comfortable that … this is still more or less going to meet a need.” 

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The design of the ParticiPARK resulted in an estimated construction cost of $382,000, which included some amenities specific to the ParticipPARKs program. ParticiPARKS ultimately wasn’t able to come up with the capital funding costs themselves and decided they were not moving ahead with any of the four projects in Canada.

The area highlight in red with the number two will be the location of the new park. (Image Credit: Town of La Ronge)

As a result, the town applied for various grants on its own, with a project budget of $330,000. It was reduced due to removal of the ParticiPARKs-specific amenities from the plan.  

The municipality earmarked $230,000 in the 2026 Capital Plan towards the development of the park, and recently, the town received $113,301 through the Enabling Accessibility Fund from the federal government, which addressed the fundraising needs for the project to move ahead. The funds, however, must be spent by February 2028.  

“I think by waiting we run the risk of increased costs if we look at the Canadian inflation index in terms of building the park,” said Coun. Viviana Arcand Ruiz. 

“My position would be to stay on the course and do what has been planned and complete that, and then once other areas have been developed, then open that conversation for pursuing parks in those new areas. I think we need to stay the course because we’ve also committed with residents verbally. There is sort of an unspoken expectation that there’s going to be a park there.” 

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derek.cornet@pattisonmedia.com