The pandemic could have forced the Festival of Words to shut down entirely this year, especially one month before the festival’s launch, but the organization quickly pivoted online and had great success.
The 24th annual festival held 21 free online events over seven days that attracted more than 3,500 viewers worldwide, including the United States, the Philippines, the United Kingdom and India, explained Amanda Farnel, interim executive director. Furthermore, there were more than 66,000 online views for its other activities.
“Although there were many challenges this year, we saw our virtual event as an opportunity to showcase the festival and the City of Moose Jaw on a national scale,” Farnel told city council on Nov. 26 during its 2021 budget deliberation meeting for all third-party groups.
FOW is asking for $8,024 next year; it received $7,867 this year.
The Saskatchewan Festival of Words
The Saskatchewan Festival of Words (FOW) has more than 130 volunteers who work over 1,200 hours throughout the year. In a normal summer, at least 80 volunteers work to stage the annual four-day event. Nine board members also commit more than 1,000 volunteer hours.
July 2021 marks the FOW’s 25th anniversary and the board is preparing another exciting lineup of Canadian authors and performers, Farnel said. While organizers hope to host a “normal” festival next year, they are also developing contingency plans for an online and/or physically distanced event.
FOW operates on a balanced budget every year, with its budget fluctuating between $250,000 and $300,000 depending upon grants, she added. This year the organization operated on $175,000.
“Every time I hear about the festival, it makes me excited, and I want to go home and write … ,” said Coun. Heather Eby. “Every organization has worked hard to make their organization and events work in a crazy year and crazy world. The Festival of Words was no different. It’s exciting to see the numbers from the virtual festival.”
Wakamow Valley Authority
Request for 2021: Statutory levy of $329,612 and capital funding of $30,770
Received this year: Statutory levy of $329,612 and capital funding of $30,770
Wakamow Valley saw a major increase in the use of its trail system this year due to the pandemic, which allowed residents to support their physical and mental well-being, connect to nature, decompress, and find peace, explained executive director Todd Johnson.
More people using the park also means more garbage, more sanitizing of bathrooms, additional park upkeep and extra costs to keep staff safe, he continued. Due to the pandemic, Wakamow Valley Authority (WVA) hired two fewer seasonal staff, put off making capital purchases, and applied for — but did not receive — a summer student grant.
Compared to 2019, WVA received $73,000 less in campground revenue and $38,000 less in rentals, for an overall decrease of $116,025. However, the federal government provided $60,000.
“Our biggest challenge with less revenue is to provide a safe place for the citizens of Moose Jaw even though we’re incurring higher expenses,” Johnson said.
One positive this year was the Mosaic Community Gardens produced 3,825 kilograms (8,500 pounds) of vegetables that went to Hunger in Moose Jaw, the food bank, Riverside Mission and the multicultural centre. These gardens have produced more than 34,000 pounds of vegetables during the past six years.
An 18-hole disc golf course is becoming popular, while another nine holes will be added next year. Johnson noted that riding fat bikes through the park in the snow is also becoming popular, based on the social media pictures he has seen.
Moose Jaw Humane Society
Request for 2021: $232,962 per contractual agreement, which runs until 2036
Received this year: $229,029
The humane society had to change how it handled adoptions this year since it saw an increase in residents wanting to take home a pet, explained executive director Dana Haukaas. It was also blessed since it did not see a decrease in fundraising dollars.
This year the organization received triple the number of bottle donations that it then took to SARCAN for recycling, she continued. Last year it earned $13,897 from cans and bottles — worth 10 cents each — while this year, it brought in $50,770.
“I think that’s great,” said Coun. Dawn Luhning, “because so many, over the last year, didn’t even know the humane society accepted bottles and cans. And I just hope that continues for the humane society because that’s huge for you guys.”
The next 2021 budget deliberation meeting is Thursday, Dec. 3.
