Picture Butte councillors discuss 2026 centennial celebration

Posted on February 6, 2025 by Sunny South News

– Bylaw 954-25 Centennial Celebration Committee will be back before council Feb. 10

By Kristine Jean
Sunny South News

Town of Picture Butte councillors got their first look at Bylaw 954-25 Centennial Celebration Committee during the regular council meeting on Jan. 27. 

In a presentation to councillors, town CAO Keith Davis provided a summary of the centennial celebration committee and spoke about some of the details of the draft bylaw, some of which include qualifications for individuals, member responsibilities, Town of Picture Butte representatives responsibilities and the role of several sub-committees, which may be formed to provide additional support for the committee in areas such as marketing and communications, events, community engagement, volunteers, youth, seniors, sponsorship and funding and tourism. 

“Some of the duties and goals of the committee is to bring everyone that can play a part in the year of celebration of 2026 together, and coordinate a celebration for the year,” said Davis. “The idea is that maybe the schools are doing something for the 100-year celebration, maybe the chamber of commerce is also organizing something for a celebration. Different user groups can come together and then this committee coordinates all of that work.” 

Councillors discussed several challenges and questions pertaining to the draft bylaw, including council’s role and how to coordinate other community groups, some of which have already begun forming their own committees for the 2026 centennial celebration. 

Coun. Teresa Feist requested that council table the draft bylaw and discuss it at the next committee of the whole meeting. 

“There are reasons why yes, the town definitely has to be involved – of course it’s a town thing and that’s number one but the funding, the participation, the transparency of dealing with the money, the grants, all that I believe definitely should be run through the town,” said Feist, noting challenges with limiting the number of committee members. “I think that’s why there’s such a good turnout, everybody’s really involved in this.” 

Coun. Henry deKok suggested making “a few minor changes” to the bylaw (and centennial celebration committee) and Coun. Crystal Neels asked about having sub-committees within the committee.

Davis noted the bylaw warranted more discussion at an upcoming meeting and pointed out that it was the first time council has seen the draft bylaw. 

“That’s what I’m looking for, is feedback on this so that we can shape it so that it will fit the committee and council’s intent,” he said. “Then I can edit and make the adjustments and bring it back to another council meeting.”

Davis noted a group of people have been working informally towards organizing a town centennial celebration for next year, and added that council took some time to make a decision to celebrate the centennial in 2026. In the meantime, councillors continued to meet with the informal group and continued to work on some ideas for the centennial celebration. 

“Then when council decided yes, let’s celebrate it in 1926, then it becomes official. It’s a council committee at that point because now it’s becoming official and is a town celebration. The Town of Picture Butte should be overseeing the town celebration,” explained Davis, noting they have to catch up and coordinate with what’s already been done informally. “While we should have the bylaw in place because it shows the rules, shows who’s responsible, shows the purposes and the roles of the committee, it just puts a framework around what you’re already doing,” said Davis. 

The draft bylaw also included definitions, membership details, proceedings, and a budget for the committee.  

Some minor changes are expected to be made to the draft bylaw before it is back in front of councillors at the next council meeting on Feb. 10.