On Monday night at the regular meeting of City Council, City Administration presented a review of the City's third-party committees. 

One of the measures recommended by the review was to disband the City of Moose Jaw Heritage Committee and to redistribute its tasks amongst the Parks, Recreation and Facilities Advisory Committee, the Inclusion, Accessibility and Diversity Advisory Committee, and the Murals Project Management Committee.

In an impassioned presentation to City Council, Scott Hellings, chair of the Heritage Committee, said he does not believe disbanding entirely would be an appropriate measure. 

"We are engaged, we're passionate," said Hellings. "What concerns me is the committee's duties are being divided up amongst other committees, and when I look at the recommendation, I see heritage being de-emphasized here. I don't see it being listed as a priority in the way it is worded. Our heritage is what makes us who we are as a city, and as people."

After Hellings' presentation, council discussed another option of combining the Heritage Committee with the Murals Project Management Committee only, but ultimately decided to allow the Heritage Committee to remain as a stand-alone.  

"There remains a value in having advisory committees in a number of areas," said clerk solicitor Myron Gulka-Tiechko.

As a member of the Heritage Committee for the past four years, Hellings said he initially joined because of his life-long interest in history. 

"I've always had a real interest in moose jaw's history, because I think moose jaw has an interesting history, especially for a city of its size, and for a city as young as it is. I find it fascinating, and I really like history in general, but I really like local history. I wanted to get involved, and I just submitted an application."

Hellings also said that there are many tasks and projects the committee has undertaken over the years, with several of them currently ongoing.  

"One of the things we are still working on is some heritage plaques that we have around town, we're trying to replace them, we're trying to get new ones installed. It's a process, there's research involved, and gathering the information, gathering the photos, and then looking at sign companies and who can make them and what it's going to cost, that's been a long process that's been going on for quite some time."

The committee has also compiled a list with information about the city's many heritage sites and plans on adding even more.  

"On the City's website, we have a page that has a bunch of heritage properties listed and has a bunch of information about them. we're looking to expand that." 

They've also started sponsoring awards at the annual Heritage Fair that has students from all over the city competing each year. Hellings said he'd also like to create educational content for school-aged kids. 

"I thought that was really important to let kids know that we value what they're doing and we're excited that they're interested in heritage. Another thing I want to do is come up with a presentation on local heritage and history for schools."

The Heritage Committee has also been involved in the downtown street facade program that was launched by the City earlier this year.  

Overall, Hellings said he's very happy to know that the committee will continue and that citizens and visitors of Moose Jaw will be able to enjoy the fruits of their efforts hopefully, for years to come. 

I just think heritage is such a part of our identity. You look at, we just launched a new slogan that we spent a lot of time and money on and made a big deal about, it's notorious, and it's all about our history really, that's our identity, that's our brand. and so having heritage advisory committee just seems natural to me, someone who is a steward of history and is trying to protect that."