The resort village of Manitou Beach is taking the first stages of its strategic planning to its citizens with a pair of Open House events, the first of which was held on May 15 and 16. The second session is slated for May 22 and 23 at Danceland. The event is a come and go self guided tour of the work that the Official Community Plan Committee has undertaken since October 2020.

Each municipal jurisdiction, including villages, towns, and cities, is obliged to submit an official community plan to the province to detail its assets and provide a snapshot of needs. A decision was made by the village council, most of whom are newly elected as of August 2020, to engage the community in an effort to spark ideas and inform the citizens of ongoing planning.

It’s a new approach for the community, explains Robb LaRochelle, village council and member of the committee.

“This is rare in any municipality, but it is definitely trendsetting in Manitou Beach. That’s because we had our five elected officials on that planning committee, but we also welcomed 7, and later 12, non-elected constituents. So we made up this team of 17 people that regarded different assets of the village like parks, trails, the lake.”

The committee is examining those community managed attributes like the drive-in to consider improvements or changes. 

The goal was to create an open house to let both residents and visitors understand and appreciate the richness and diversity of life in Manitou Beach with an eye to future enhancements. The committee met, often virtually due to COVID, to plan and create a series of displays that are at the heart of the Open House. Those displays are in a self-guided framework in Danceland, graciously donated for the purpose by owner Millie Strueby. The venue provides plenty of space for distancing in a come and go fashion.

“People will come to the open house, and there’s a bit of COVID protocol at the door,” explains LaRochelle. “They are given a hand out that has everything they need on it. They go through the tour at their own pace. At the end, they will have a survey to fill out.”

LaRochelle that the survey is not filled out on site; rather there is a QR code link to a questionnaire on the Survey Monkey website to allow for input. The data gathered from the open house will be used as part of the professionally guided formal Official Community Plan that is ultimately submitted to the government. The planning support is being provided by the Mid-Sask Municipal Alliance. 

Initial feedback from the opening weekend was extremely positive, noted LaRochelle. Eighty-two people in all attended the first session, and the hope is that the second weekend’s turnout will be equally robust.

“All of the feedback was resoundingly positive. I think people were really, really excited - some were actually giddy with the idea that their municipality was asking for their opinion.”

LaRochelle, like the other members of the committee, hopes that the open house will allow residents and visitors to explore and understand the diversity of people and opportunities in Manitou Beach. That strength in diversity will be a powerful tool as the resort village gradually emerges from a 14 month long pandemic challenge that has taken a toll on the hospitality and tourism industries. 

The Open House welcomes all from 9:00 am to 5:00 pm at Manitou Beach’s historic Danceland.