La Ronge Mayor Joe Hordyski believes council achieved a lot of progress in 2025. (Derek Cornet/larongeNOW Staff)

By Derek Cornet

Year In Review

‘Northerners are resilient people’: La Ronge mayor looks back at 2025

Dec 29, 2025 | 6:00 AM

With 2025 nearly over, La Ronge Mayor Joe Hordyski is reflecting back on a year local residents won’t soon forget.

He explained the single largest event that was on the minds of residents was the destruction of the Pisew fire in June. It led to the entire evacuation of the town and nearby communities for nearly two weeks and it resulted in the loss of two businesses within the municipality. Among the businesses lost was Robertson Trading, which was a landmark in the community for more than 50 years.

“Northerners are resilient people. I have always thought that and we will pick up the pieces,” Hordyski remarked.

“We were very fortunate. There are a lot of people who experienced some hardship with the evacuation. Of course, we were challenged by the Ditch fire in terms of the evacuation, and that process took in some cases eight hours to reach Prince Albert because of the shuttling and everything else. As a result of that hardship, we were actually given the opportunity to hand out the evacuation grant of $500 and that went very well. It was well received, and our administration did a good job delivering that service.”

Looking back at the incident, he noted people have mixed opinions on what should have been done and how provincial personnel could have been prepared to responded to it different. For instance, Hordyski said there should have been more of an advanced notice when people were told to leave.

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Hordyski, however, is grateful for how residents came together and how many fire departments from across the province came to assist the town in its efforts.

“We are fortunate to not have any injuries with the firefighters or anything like that,” he said.

Residents were forced to evacuate on June 2 and weren’t allowed to return until June 12. (Derek Cornet/larongeNOW Staff)

Another major event to occur in 2025 was the relocation of the Ice Wolves to the Lac La Ronge Indian Band’s Jonas Roberts Memorial Community Centre. The franchise had been located in La Ronge since 1998 and their relocation was partially the reason Terry Hunt resigned from council.

The team’s management had previously brought up concerns about operating out of the aging Mel Hegland Uniplex, but Hordyski stated there is no way to the town will be able to afford a new rink without a substantial grant from federal or provincial governments.

“I think the community continues to support the team at the JR. I think they will be looked after well over there,” he said.

In the last 12 months, there has also been movement on bringing more housing to La Ronge. Land has been developed along Studer Street, as well as on Bedford Drive. The Bedford Drive site in particular, which is still a work in progress, could be the future of home of two 62-unit apartment buildings.

Métis Nation–Saskatchewan open two modular duplexes in August. A sod turning ceremony for a third was held in November. (Derek Cornet/larongeNOW Staff)

“With our needs assessment, we were told over the next three years we could use 350 doors to meet the existing need, plus look after the impact of the long-term care facility,” Hordyski said.

“We have been held back with attracting professionals like teachers and other professionals, and even the growth of businesses has been held back by lack of housing. As we move forward and start to provide that need, probably that 350 doors will expand too.”

In 2025, the municipality also held a by-election and welcomed Bruce Skilliter to council. With his background with SaskPower and business, Hordyski believes he brings a fresh dynamic to the table.

Another highlight Hordyski wanted to mention is the land transfer which occurred in 2025 to the RCMP. The force is expected to begin constructing a new detachment along Highway 102 during spring 2026.

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derek.cornet@pattisonmedia.com