Silver Sage Expansion - there are plans to construct an outdoor events arena adjacent to its existing facility and potentially develop a hall in the future. As part of its long-term vision, the Society is exploring an event campground to accommodate visitors and participants.

Silver Sage has 16,000 to 20,000 annual visitors and 300 days of activity on the grounds, including:

• 20 multi-day events and 56 calendar days of bookings

• 165 single-day events and rentals

• Arena memberships using the facility on non-booked days

Council discussed whether a County representative is still needed on the board, as the original appointment—made in 2022 to assist with leadership transition—ended last year. Now, the Society has formally invited a County Councillor to rejoin as a non-voting member to provide insights at monthly meetings.

Solar Energy Projects Move Forward - County Council approved two ground-mounted solar projects for a local landowner located west of the Village of Rosemary. These solar installations will generate power to offset farm energy use, helping reduce operational costs while also supplying extra electricity to the grid when possible. Matt Horvath from D-Com Energy Solution was on hand to answer questions, explaining that while installation itself takes just a week or two, the approval process can stretch to six months or more. "It actually takes longer to go through development and utility approvals than it does to install on the ground," he said, noting that securing utility approval alone, which is supposed to take 14 days, can sometimes take up to a year.

Ag Societies Collaborate - the Rolling Hills and Duchess Ag Societies meet to compare projects, discuss challenges, and explore ways to support each other. County CAO Matt Fenske praised the effort, calling it a great example of collaboration that could benefit other communities as well. “There are lessons we can learn from each other,” said Fenske. “It’s impressive to see these groups coming together to swap ideas and improve their operations.” Both Ag Societies are tackling major recreation projects that will benefit their communities:

• Rolling Hills Ag Society is working on replacing its aging ice plant, which will keep the arena operational for hockey tournaments and local skaters.

• Duchess Ag Society is leading a multi-phase renovation of the Duchess Arena, which includes replacing the ice plant, expanding the mezzanine, upgrading accessibility, and improving the facility.

Volunteer at the Market! The Brooks Farmers’ Market doesn’t just happen—If you love the market and want to be part of Growing the BEST little farmers’ market – B.eautiful. E.ngaging. S.hopping. Tourist attraction – there’s a role for you! Setup Crew, Greeter & Info Tent, Photography, Vendor Support, Data Collector, Close-down Crew.

THANK YOU to those who have already responded 🙌

Canada Day Moving Indoors - a shift that proved successful last year when bad weather forced the event inside. The Canada Day event in Brooks was traditionally held indoors until renovations to the JBS Centre in 2017 made it necessary to relocate. Last year, unpredictable weather required a move back inside, resulting in a significantly improved experience for staff, vendors, and volunteers. The celebration will still include all the fan-favourite activities—live entertainment, games, a BBQ, and fireworks.

Future School Planning - City Council is considering a land use change for an 8.2-acre site next to École Le Ruisseau to support future school development. Right now, the land is zoned for recreation, but it could be redesignated for educational use and share sports fields with the Francophone school. Grasslands School Division is asking the City to designate this land as they prepare for a potential new school. This designation is important for securing provincial funding for school construction.

Updating Workplace Requirements - The City of Brooks is updating its Health and Safety Policy following an OHS Order requiring a review and possible revisions. Several clarifications and updates have been recommended after a comprehensive assessment. The updates include clearer guidelines on policy review frequency, improved reporting procedures, including concerns related to the CAO, better-defined investigator reporting structures, and streamlined language to ensure regulatory compliance.

One key area of focus is workplace bullying and harassment, which the policy aims to prevent. Bullying is defined as repeated behaviour that intimidates, offends, degrades, or isolates a person or group. Examples include:

• Spreading malicious rumours or gossip

• Social exclusion or isolation

• Intimidation or undermining someone’s work

• Unreasonable work expectations or punishment

• Yelling, using profanity, or belittling opinions

• Criticizing a person persistently or constantly

• Intruding on privacy or tampering with personal belongings

Rolling Hills has a new local electrician - with 14 years of experience in the oil patch, sawmills, and gold mines, Aaron Ross has returned to the area to provide agricultural, residential, and industrial electrical services. Ross understands the unique needs of rural life. Since setting up as an independent contractor, he has been working on local farms, offering fast, reliable service. “The electrical needs of rural communities are unique, and having someone local means faster response times,” Ross said. Need a fast, reliable electrician? Call AA Electric.

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