An announcement on September 21 at city council that caused immediate backlash marks our number 8 story of 2020; the proposed Wakamow Valley Development.

Alberta based architect Alvin Fritz and local businessman Charles Vanden Broek proposed building a new residential subdivision along 7th Avenue Southwest, north of the Moose Jaw River in the River Valley.

The subdivision would have included 29 single-family units, 81 multi-family units, and would have involved the city amending the Official Community Plan (OCP).

Hundreds of 'Protect Our Park' lawn signs were handed out throughout the city

Council voting passed 5-2 to take the proposal to community consultation.

While many were in support of the development, there were even more who were against it, with many speaking out against destroying the natural beauty within the valley, as well as the proposed building site being a known flood zone where mass flooding had occurred in 1948, 1974, as well as severe ice jams in 2011, 2013, and 2015.

One resident who ended up leading the charge against the proposed subdivision was Caron Berg. Berg started the Facebook group 'Leave our Valley Alone', as well as an online petition which garnered thousands of signatures.

Berg presented her argument at city council, and spoke about the history, and tranquility of the valley, saying everything needs to be considered when discussing a development such as this.

"Sure, money and economy are always needed, but there are lots of places for development in our city, and the beauty of the valley should be cherished and preserved. This valley has been an incredible asset in our city for many years. Destroying it is just a bad idea. My belief is strong in that some things should be left untouched."

The Wakamow Valley campground office after an ice-jam in 2015

General Manager of the Wakamow Valley Authority, Todd Johnson, also spoke out against the development.

"Wakamow Valley is asking you to consider the ecosystems, bridges, paths, and playgrounds that the city of Moose Jaw, province of Saskatchewan, the federal government, and the citizens of Moose Jaw have built and invested their time, effort and funds into to create a spectacular urban park."

Members of city council spoke on the proposed development as well, sharing their frustration that council, the public, and Wakamow Valley Authority were left in the dark long after city administration heard about the proposal months before the presentation.

Councillor Crystal Froese said the public had been very vocal, and overwhelmingly against the development.

"Out of the four years I've sat here I've been approached by lots of people on many different areas of concern, but I have never ever had the response that I have had on this particular issue. I think that we have heard this loud and clear from the community that they are not for this, that they don't want us to open the Official Community Plan."

In the end, one month from the day the proposal was first brought forward, Fritz and Vanden Broek withdrew their application to amend the OCP due to public feedback and community concern.

"When something like this begins and there's talk of opening up the Official Community Plan, you hope that there's a big response from the community," said Todd Johnson after the withdrawal, "We are overwhelmed by the number of people who supported the valley and really treasure it."