Virden and surrounding communities are saying goodbye to Prairie West Recreation (PWR). Laurel Lamb the face of PWR for over 15 years found out on Monday, Sept. 13, that her position with Prairie West Recreation (PWR) was dissolved and her office closed. The work she loved, the role that she put heart and soul into, was suddenly over.
Lamb reflects upon her role, “My motto was to offer big-city programs to small-town living. I just never had enough time to offer everything.”
Originally PWR received broad support. This included the municipalities of Wallace, Woodworth, Ellice, Sifton and the Towns of Virden and Oak Lake, the Village of Elkhorn and Fort La Bosse School Division.
However, since municipal amalgamations in 2015 the support for the recreation district was reduced to two entities, the Town of Virden and the RM of Wallace- Woodworth. As such PWR continued to serve many of the same people, with the exception of the Oak Lake/Sifton area and Ellice-Archie area, no longer within the district.
PWR, run by a board of directors, included some members of the two councils presently chaired by Diana Mac- Donald representing the RM of Wallace-Woodworth.
In an email interview, MacDonald for the board, explained that re-structuring options had been on the table for some time and had been discussed during the agreement renewals of 2018 and then 2020.
“Unfortunately, there has been a trend in Westman where Rec Districts are being restructured and, in some cases, disbanded,” the board responded. “The Councils of the Town of Virden and the RM of Wallace- Woodworth have decided to dissolve [PWR] as of Dec. 31, 2021.”
PWR programs (paying instructors and venues) and Lamb’s 35 hours per week were funded by per capita contributions from the Town of Virden and the RM of Wallace- Woodworth and from program registrations.
In 2021, $20,216 came from the RM of Wallace- Woodworth, with $29,864 from the Town of Virden.
HIGHLIGHTS FOR LAMB
Laurel Lamb initiated a multitude of programs over the years. Registration Night came up every fall giving multiple opportunities under one roof for parents to register their families for activities. This was recently expanded to include a spring registration as well.
PWR brought organizational guidance to Youth Soccer, Westman Rec Hockey, Southwest Judo and Virden Gymnastics.
Many of the sports programs continue today. Lamb saw benefits above and beyond the actual sporting activities which gave opportunities to socialize and to grow, as people.
With a broad smile she recalls how much fun it was, for two consecutive years, to host British Soccer Camp. Several British student soccer players came to Virden to instruct the Youth Soccer. They stayed with Lamb and her family. PWR board member Sandra Langlois’ family also hosted them one year.
“You make life long friendships and connections,” she said. “When my son and I went on the school trip to Europe in 2016, one soccer coach from England actually bought us tickets for Wicked the musical, and we were able to go and see it with him, and catch up. So that was really quite cool.”
Lamb orchestrated three Health Expos in Tundra Oil & Gas Place. These drew dozens of vendors, presenters along with patrons from a broad area.
In cooperation with Mid-West Recreation out of Hamiota, PWR brought Follow the Sun Off the Grid Yoga Festival to Eternal Springs.
Music in the Park was originally a group effort of PWR, SAIL and Arts Mosaic; although this year PWR solely took care of the abbreviated season.
Of her many endeavors, Lamb says, “Dance lessons were probably my favourite because it doesn’t just stop at the lesson, it’s a life skill, socializing.” She says dancing contributes to both mental and physical health. “I couldn’t have done it without Fort La Bosse School Division facilities, they were a huge contributor, plus, the local halls.”
PWR services extended to concussion clinics, and AED (heart defibrillator) workshops when the devices were newly installed. Lamb started Teddy bear picnics, 4 on 4 hockey, preschool sports and a long list of other activities.
“Day camp was always a hit. My first camp leader was Tricia Hayward followed by 50 more students looking for work experience with children.” Her emotions rise to the surface as Lamb continues, “Nothing makes me prouder than seeing those leaders living out their careers today. A lot of them are your local teachers.” Perhaps a key to her success in the communities is summed up in her own words, “We always had fun!”
The boldness to ‘just do it’ was another key to bring activities to the region. “To my instructors, wow, where do I begin?” Lamb says that many wanted to put newly acquired skills into action, but were unsure of how to engage the public. “That’s when I came in,” she says adding, “Now, many of them have successful businesses on their own.”
Lamb set the budget for the course or activity, took the bookings and arranged the venues.
She was a networker in her PWR role and over the years, built relationships with course instructors. One such example was the dog agility course last year at Diana Defoe’s Lenore outdoor dog course. “Who knew we had a dog trainer who had been around the world for dog competitions?”
PWR’s programs enabled instructors to develop as facilitators and teachers. “Sometimes the leaders didn’t even realize they had something to offer, but I saw an opportunity and put it together and made it work.”
Recreation directors often help each other. “A huge compliment was when my peers copied my programs.” Rec directors often lent moral support to each other through the challenges of meeting public needs within the budget. “Having my peers just a call away kept me sane. Being recognized by the provincial recreation board, Recreation Manitoba, in June of last year was very humbling.” Lamb says, “I want to thank everyone who’s been a part of my almost 16-year journey. It’s been amazing. I have been blessed, and I’m grateful for the opportunity to serve the community.”
COVID shutdowns hurt many community organizations including PWR.
“The pandemic was hard, having my passion shut down, cancelling everything, but I persevered and still created greatness.”
Through 2020 new programs rose to the surface when outdoor activities were the only things available, including crokicurl and the winter walking trail at the golf course. The most memorable was when Santa made the rounds in a street parade visiting schools and seniors’ facilities.
Laurel Lamb will remember this role all her life. “My favourite day was as Mrs Claus, and hearing the kids scream with excitement.”
Information from the board says no new PWR programs will be initiated, but programs already set to go this fall, such as the Baby-Sitters course will run.
