ST. PAUL - A dip in the temperature over the Family Day long weekend resulted in this year’s Shiver Fest activities being cancelled. Talks on how to handle future Shiver Fest events to ensure at least some activities are held, regardless of weather, have since taken place.
During the Feb. 24 regular Town of St. Paul council meeting, CAO Kim Heyman brought forward a number of recommendations regarding a proposed location change, timing change, and format change for next year’s Shiver Fest.
“As you know, we had to cancel Shiver Fest this year due to cold weather. The windchill on the day was -20 to -33,” reported Heyman. “During the month preceding this event, all the advertising had stated that it would be cancelled if the temperature got below -20 with or without the windchill.”
Town of St. Paul staff members met after the long weekend to discuss what could be done to maintain the theme of the winter carnival “but weatherproof the event so that next year it could go ahead no matter what the weather,” said the CAO.
Town staff members have proposed a number of changes to the event, including moving the location from Reunion Station to the Rec. Centre and surrounding area.
Events and functions would be planned around existing “winter facilities” such as the arenas, curling rink, Ag Corral, and possibly event the golf course since the Lakeland Cross Country Ski Club operates trails there, reported Heyman.
“The pool is open anyway . . . perhaps a Shiver Fest Pool Party could be arranged,” she said.
It was noted that parking and access is better at the Rec. Centre, and the facility could work well for food related portions of the event, such as the pancake breakfast and a concession that runs over lunch.
“We would still plan outdoor events like the sleigh rides and ski-doo rides, but if the weather turned ugly we could still bank on the indoor activities going ahead,” said Heyman.
One of the other major changes to the format would be the date of the event. Rather than holding Shiver Fest on holiday Monday of the Family Day long weekend, the event would run on the Saturday.
“We would pay out less overtime and staff would still be able to celebrate Family Day,” said Heyman. It was noted that St. Paul Fish and Game has expressed they would continue holding the fishing derby at the town pond, located near the soccer fields.
The town’s recreation board was in support of the changes, according to the Feb. 24 agenda package.
Council agreed to the recommended changes.
