YORKTON – The Yorkton Business Improvement District's sidewalk cleaning program is under new management.
The program, now in its eleventh year, was previously under the operation of SIGN.
"SIGN had the program for several years," said Donna Brothwell, Executive Director for the Yorkton Business Improvement District, during a gathering for the announcement at City Centre Park on Wednesday afternoon.
Brothwell noted SIGN was experiencing staffing issues.
"[SaskAbilities] is a great fit for us – to find our workers, to make some changes to the program that fit – and again – the program continues to be," said Brothwell, adding, "it's a wonderful program – what it does is clean the sidewalks from Painted Hand Casino all the way down to Seventh Avenue."
"We are familiar with the program and we do love to take on new opportunities, specifically when it's helping to support helping people with their employment," said Jackie Washenfelder, Program Manager at Sask Abilities, adding, "we had a few meetings, we did work with SIGN to figure out the ins and outs of it – what worked well, what things we could maybe change up."
"With the YBID’s new carts from 2020 the workers are once again able to get up and down the District streets. The cleanup gets going usually June 1st and continues as weather allows into the fall. The YBID puts 10,000 each year into this program so that the district streets are clean and nice to walk and shop. SaskAbilities organizes the workers that take much pride in the district and the areas they clean," read a media release from YBID.
