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Waskimo has been cancelled this year in Regina.
The winter festival’s board of directors made the announcement Monday morning, citing environmental concerns raised by the Provincial Capital Commission (PCC) as the reason behind the decision.
According to the PCC, the ice in front of the Conexus Arts Centre — which would be used during the festival — is “no longer ecologically sustainable” in the long term for the federally designated migratory bird sanctuary there.
“Shoreline degradation caused by the ice surface location directly impacted nesting habitat, food and protection for waterfowl,” the PCC said in an emailed statement.
“For Waskimo to continue using the ice surface in the Wascana marsh area, they would be required to apply for permits under the Aquatic Habitat Protection Program and the Migratory Bird Convention Act, both of which outline concerns with alterations to habitat.”
Due to the environmental impact, the PCC is not allowing on-ice activities to be held on that portion of ice. That eliminates the festival’s public skating and cancels both the speed-skating competition and the Hole-ympic outhouse races.
“Without activities like these on the lake, the true vision of Waskimo is incomplete,” said Waskimo chairman Jeremy Parnes in a media release.
While the PCC said it offered to provide Waskimo with an on-land ice surface on the west side of Broad Street for free and an extra $5,000 in funding for to the rental costs of the facility, festival organizers opted to cancel the event.
“The magic of Waskimo is being on the ice,” said Parnes. “It’s the one and only day of the winter where the public is allowed access. With the lake being the main focus of our festival, the hope is a workable solution can be found for next year and beyond.”
“We are sad to see the event cancelled by the organizers, but we certainly look forward to working with them on an environmentally sustainable solution in future years,” said the PCC.
Waskimo was to be held Feb. 17 in Wascana Park.
