Council meetings are the 2nd Tuesday of each month.
Winter Office Hours: Tues., Wed., Thurs.
(Sept. 1, 2023 to April 30, 2024)
9:00 AM to 4:00 PM
(306) 386-2333 Phone
Winter Office Hours: Tues., Wed., Thurs.
(Sept. 1, 2023 to April 30, 2024)
9:00 AM to 4:00 PM
(306) 386-2333 Phone
Peter Wiesner stands on the breakwater. Fundraising is underway to rebuild it. (Julia Lovett-Squires/battlefordsNOW)
By Julia Lovett-Squires
IMPORTANT INITIATIVE
Jackfish Breakwater Project underway in Cochin to raise $1.8M
Under a cool, steel-grey sky Peter Wiesner looks out at the aging, crooked little finger at the opening of Lehman Creek.
The long, twisting rocky outcrop is all that’s left of the breakwater after decades of deterioration from the elements.
“It’s in dire need of refurbishing and replacing,” he said, adding much of the damage comes from ice erosion.
“When the ice breaks up, it really takes a beating, but it’s been like many, many years since the thing has been refurbished.”
The $1.8-million Jackfish Breakwater Project is underway with support from the Resort Village of Cochin, along with Moosomin First Nation and Saulteaux First Nation. Wiesner said it’s not a matter of if but when it fails and it’ll be catastrophic for fisheries, boating, and lake levels.
“We are well underway though for fundraising and we’re at the last stretch of ‘Help us out’ to help finish up the fundraising efforts,” said Wiesner.
So far, $1.2-million has been raised through the Investing in Canada Infrastructure Program, local businesses, and communities.
There is a catch, however, as it has to be completed next fall or they’ll lose the funding.
“All the contributions are pending, we got to go.”
The breakwater, which aids the creek that connects Jackfish Lake to Murray Lake, was built around the late 1930s with Wiesner noting his father-in-law used to tell stories about the time before it existed when the creek was at the mercy of nature.
“If there was a windstorm or something at night the creek would close and in the morning a trickle would start coming through, push its way through the sand, and start trickling again,” he said.
“By mid-day, they’d have a little bit of an opening, and you could get through with a canoe or whatever, and then another wind that night, the creek would close again.”
The last time a reconstruction happened was in the 1950s and the reason behind the decades-long wait to rebuild had to do with a “If it ain’t broke’ mindset.
There’s been a push for several years but two years ago, the voices got louder and a committee, made up of representatives from the municipality, the two First Nations, the village, and others was formed to take action.
“We got a good plan in place, now we got to get the money, cause they’re ready to go,’ Wiesner added.
The plans will include a design to help deal with waves breaking and ice flow crashing against the fortified wall of rock.
To donate or to learn more, you can email cochinadmin@sasktel.net or call 306-386-2333.
To keep up to date on developments, visit the Jackfish Breakwater Project on Facebook.
Chief Administrative Officer (CAO),
Resort Village of Cochin
The Resort Village of Cochin is currently seeking applications for a Chief Administrative Officer.
The successful candidate is preferred to possess the following qualifications:
An LGA Standard Urban Certificate is preferred, however, those who have successfully completed the LGA Program and/or have experience in Municipal Government will be considered an asset.
Submit a cover letter, resume with three employment references, salary expectation and applicable certifications/experience to:
Resort Village of Cochin, Box 160, Cochin, SK S0M 0L0;
Applications will be accepted until the position is filled.
Only those candidates selected for further consideration will be contacted.
Urgent Request for Funding
To: The Ratepayers of the Resort Village of Cochin
The Jackfish Breakwater Steering Committee is grateful for the Village’s support, both financial and in its supportive encouragement. As a ratepayer in Cochin, you will be aware of the crisis the lakes are facing because of the deteriorated condition of the breakwater.
The committee believes there are lake community members, including some in Cochin, who fully recognize the importance of this initiative and may wish to personally donate to the project. There may also be people in Cochin who have business interests and are looking to support community development initiatives. All donors will receive a tax-deductible receipt.
A project of this magnitude requires a comprehensive fundraising strategy. Although our fund raising has exceeded the $1M mark, we are still at least $600K short of being able to put shovels in the ground. We have been approved for $808K from the Canada Infrastructure Investment Program. Start-up costs have been provided by Serafina at $35K, Battlefords Agency Tribal Chiefs CDC at $20K and Strathcona at $50K. Strathcona has committed an additional $100K when we begin construction in 2024. Cochin contributed $54K and committed to a further sponsorship of $50K in 2024. Recently, we were pleased to receive over $11.5K from the Whitwell family via the Michael Whitwell Memorial Fund.
“Rehabilitation is essential to maintaining free flow of water between the two lakes. Structural failure of the breakwater is on the horizon and, if that happens, navigation between the lakes will, among other negative results, be a thing of the past.” Mayor Walker at the time of the Michael Whitwell presentation:
If you would like more information about the Project or how you may donate, call the Cochin Office (Tuesday, Wednesday or Thursday 306-386-2333) and make your request. At the same time, office personnel will give you details on how to make a payment: cash, e-transfer, cheque.
Harvey Walker – Mayor of Cochin and Committee Chair
Peter Wiesner – Cochin Council Member
Sherry Jimmy – Reeve of the RM of Meota
Ruth Seime – Past Chair: North Saskatchewan River Basin Association
Rob Wiebe – Cochin seasonal resident and Technical Advisor
Alexis Christensen – Saulteaux Band Manager sitting as a private citizen
Saulteaux Chief Kenny Moccasin
Willie Blind – Moosomin First Nation Band Councillor
September 3, 2023 For Immediate Release
Michael Whitwell Memorial Fund Supports
Jackfish Lake – Lehman Creek Breakwater Project
Members of the Whitwell family presented members of the Breakwater Rehabilitation Committee with a grant from the Michael Whitwell Memorial Fund in the amount of $11,538.35. This grant is to support the Jackfish Lake – Lehman Creek Breakwater Project.
“This generous gift in Michael’s memory helps assure that we will make our fundraising goal in efforts to rehabilitate the breakwater,” said Resort Village of Cochin Mayor, Harvey Walker. “Rehabilitation is essential to maintaining free flow of water between the two lakes. Structural failure of the breakwater is on the horizon and, if it happens, navigation between the lakes will, among other negative results, be a thing of the past. We thank the Whitwell family for their vision.”
Michael’s parents, Roddy and Candy and his sister, Brittany Fader were on hand for the presentation. “Mike’s love and respect for the lakes helped us to make the decision to support this project. He was passionate about the fish and wildlife,” they said. “The lake was a huge and important part of his life. Supporting its longevity in his memory is an honour.
We encourage others to support this important project.” This fund was established with Battlefords and District Community Foundation after Michael’s death in 2011. The fund has also provided support for the dock in Cochin.
Battlefords and District Community Foundation currently manages more than 28 funds that will contribute to a range of interests from the arts and health care to post-secondary scholarships and recreation. BDCF has distributed over $60,000 in annual community grants and scholarships this year. To date, their donors have provided over $1,300,000 to community groups and projects. The foundation website at www.bdcf.ca has complete information.
For more information:
Kathy McNinch
Executive Director, BDCF
306-441-2961
The photo l-r: Sherry Jimmy, Reeve of RM of Meota; Harvey Walker, Mayor of Resort Village of Cochin and Committee Chair; Rob Wiebe, Committee Technical Advisor; Roddy Whitwell (Mike's Father); Peter Wiesner, Cochin Councillor; Candy Whitwell (Mike's Mother); Ruth Seime, North Saskatchewan River Basin Council member; and Brittany Fader (Mike's Sister)
Leadership from RM of Meota No. 468, Village of Meota, Resort Village of Metinota and the Resort Village of Cochin have put politics and jurisdiction aside to consider the long-term feasibility and functionality of the new proposed Regional Fire Protection model encompassing Jackfish Lake & Region Fire District.
Regional Partnerships are an excellent means for municipal success; in good from they increase the quality of economic, political, social and environmental aspects of life.
Intermunicipal Cooperation allows municipalities to:
Please keep the following mind:
Be a good neighbour, respectful and kind relationships, open lines of communication and help make this a wonderful community all year round.
Thank you everyone!
Running a holiday sale or weekly special? Definitely promote it here to get customers excited about getting a sweet deal.
Have you opened a new location, redesigned your shop, or added a new product or service? Don't keep it to yourself, let folks know.
Customers have questions, you have answers. Display the most frequently asked questions, so everybody benefits.
The Resort Village of Cochin is located 36 kilometres north of the Battlefords on Highway 4 North in Saskatchewan. It is nestled between two beautiful prairie lakes, Murray Lake and Jackfish Lake. This location makes the resort community of Cochin a great vacation spot as well as a fantastic place to live. Join us for our annual Cochin
The Resort Village of Cochin is located 36 kilometres north of the Battlefords on Highway 4 North in Saskatchewan. It is nestled between two beautiful prairie lakes, Murray Lake and Jackfish Lake. This location makes the resort community of Cochin a great vacation spot as well as a fantastic place to live. Join us for our annual Cochin Days celebration during the second weekend of August .
(Photo by Leanne Murphy)
A lighthouse in Saskatchewan?! The only lighthouse in Saskatchewan is at the north end of the village of Cochin. The Cochin Lighthouse was built in 1988 on the top of Pirot Hill. From here visitors have a spectacular view of both Jackfish and Murray Lakes. The lighthouse is 11.5 meters tall (38 ft). There are 153 steps to the top. The r
A lighthouse in Saskatchewan?! The only lighthouse in Saskatchewan is at the north end of the village of Cochin. The Cochin Lighthouse was built in 1988 on the top of Pirot Hill. From here visitors have a spectacular view of both Jackfish and Murray Lakes. The lighthouse is 11.5 meters tall (38 ft). There are 153 steps to the top. The rotating beacon can be seen for miles.
(Photo by Kyle Fauchon)
There's a reason that Saskatchewan is known for its living skies. We have the most spectacular sunsets in the world! Residents and visitors can enjoy the the beach, take a refreshing swim in the lake, play tennis or beach volleyball, visit the playgrounds, fish, waterski, wakeboard or tube behind a boat. There's lots to do here all year
There's a reason that Saskatchewan is known for its living skies. We have the most spectacular sunsets in the world! Residents and visitors can enjoy the the beach, take a refreshing swim in the lake, play tennis or beach volleyball, visit the playgrounds, fish, waterski, wakeboard or tube behind a boat. There's lots to do here all year round. Enjoy photos of the area here.
(Photo by Kent Rockwell)