As children from around the globe once again send Santa their Christmas lists, the City of Meadow Lake has already granted one holiday wish to its public works department. While discussing a series of requests pertaining to the 2025 municipal budget during its regular meeting Monday evening (Dec. 16), city council approved $30,757 for upgrades to the pole-mounted decorations (displayed along Centre Street each year) and for the purchase of decorations for the Co-op Centre. Administration was also directed to bring forward a proposal for a complete replacement of the polemounted lights in the 2026 budget.
“The existing lights are in quite poor repair,” explained interim city manager Neil Marsh in his official recommendation to council. “While the welded steel frames are still in good shape, the electrical components have seen better days. They consist of indoor-type light strings taped onto the frames. Wiring, light sockets and plugs have all deteriorated.” Marsh went on to note, as an alternative to purchasing all new lights, the city could, in 2025, purchase several new lights to install in front of the new Co-op Centre. “The cost appears to be about $960 per unit for very basic decorations,” he said. Also, in 2025, a suggested option was to install new light strings onto the existing frames to ensure enough of these are serviceable for the 2025 season. Costs would include exterior-grade light strings, suitable attachments and labour. In the 2026 budget, Marsh added, consideration could be given to a complete upgrade and possible expansion of the program.
“The original request presented to council during the Oct. 12 budget meeting included the expansion of the lighting area to be down Centre Street along the four meridians,” Marsh said. “However, it was found in late November the state of our current lighting is in disrepair and thus this new proposal is being submitted in place of the original. The addition of lights at the new Co-op Centre is also being presented as we feel it is important to showcase the new facility in a festive light during the holiday season in years to come.” In March, the company the city purchases lights and décor from has an annual spring sale. Marsh said the goal would be to take advantage of the sale and place an order, noting this company also offers discounts on bulk orders year round including five per cent off 20 displays or more, seven per cent off 30 displays or more and 10 per cent off 50 displays or more.
The motion to approve the $30,757 was made by councillor Marty Bishop and seconded by councillor Ron Dishko. “I think it’s important,” Dishko said. “If the city invests in brightening up the community during the Christmas season, it may entice residents to do the same in their yards. It’s just the dollar amount that may be a bit much. That’s something we may have to think about.”
Bishop agreed. “I believe it does a lot of good for the morale of the community when you see things all brightened up during the festive season,” he stated. “On Sundays, for example, my wife and I will drive around and we’ll look at all the Christmas lights. There are some really nice ones out there.” When it comes to the decorations for the Co-op Centre, councillor Mauri Young asked if these would consist of lights for the parking lot or for up and down 3rd Street West.
“I believe it’s a combination of the two,” replied Asma Qadri, the city’s director of finance. “I believe they plan to have a large Christmas tree in front of the Co-op Centre, and lighting up and down the street.” Councillor Conrad Read said it would be great to see the downtown lights replaced with LEDs or, at the very least, with outdoor Christmas lights rather than indoor ones. Councillor Connie Marsh-Yuhasz, meanwhile, asked if solar powered Christmas lights would be an available option.