The Canadian Challenge begins Feb. 21 at noon. (Derek Cornet/larongeNOW Staff)

By Derek Cornet

premiere race

La Ronge council divided on supporting Canadian Challenge

Feb 15, 2023 | 5:00 PM

La Ronge council was split in its decision to support the upcoming Canadian Challenge Dog Sled Race.

A motion was passed at a regular council meeting on Tuesday to provide the Canadian Challenge with $2,500 in financial support, as well as provide a number of in-kind services.

Those services include covering the Patterson Park skating loop, supplying power and water, garbage disposal, leveling snow in Patterson Park and piling up snow along the lake side of the water treatment to act as a wind block for tents. Accommodating the in-kind support request is estimated to take 15 hours of staff time and cost approximately $600.

Mayor Joe Hordyski, deputy-mayor Viviana Ruiz-Arcand and Coun. Terry Hunt supported the motion, while councillors Abby Besharah and Jordan McPhail did not. Councillors Matthew Klassen and Ryan Veteri were not present and did not vote.

“The late application, I find that really problematic because they applied before and received funding and they are aware of the process that we have in place, so why are we receiving an application days before they are coming?” Besharah asked.

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“Like that, to me, is problematic. It’s either someone made an assumption, or somebody dropped the ball for such a large event to not ensure they have the support of the community of one of their checkpoints.”

Besharah was also concerned about decommissioning the skating loop for an event that will last three days. The last day the skating loop will be available for public use is Feb. 16.

In regards to McPhail, he was concerned about providing the Canadian Challenge financial support due to the lack of any large events usually associated with the race not occurring in La Ronge this year.

“Even things like the awards breakfast and what not is no longer in our community,” he said. “It’s an event that passes through our community, but it doesn’t seem like there’s a lot of social events or the awards breakfast or anything kind of being held here.”

The Canadian Challenge begins Feb. 21 at noon. There are currently 17 mushers registered in the three races including La Ronge’s Ragnar Robinson.

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derek.cornet@pattisonmedia.com

Twitter: @saskjourno