Released October 27, 2026
WEYBURN, SK – Weyburn City Council has approved seeking direction from the Court of King’s Bench regarding a petition requesting a referendum on a new aquatic facility at the Weyburn Leisure Centre.
At its Oct. 26 meeting, Council passed two motions addressing the aquatic facility petition and the next steps under The Cities Act.
The first motion was to receive the City Clerk’s report determining the petition is sufficient under The Cities Act, with 1,232 valid signatures exceeding the required 1,102.
The second directed administration and legal counsel to apply to the Court of King’s Bench under Section 112(1)(c) of The Cities Act, for direction on how to proceed with the petition.
The petition requests a new two-tank aquatic facility, incorporating portions of the existing Weyburn Leisure Centre, spectator seating, a competition pool and separate recreational pool, within a $30 million budget specified in the petition.
While the petition meets legislative requirements, questions remain about whether the proposed project can be implemented as requested, including the facility specifications, use of the existing building and overall project costs. Council is seeking direction from the court to clarify these uncertainties before proceeding with a decision that could legally bind the City.
“Residents have the right to bring their concerns forward through a petition, and we respect that democratic process,” said Mayor Jeff Richards. “Our responsibility is to follow the legislation and taking the necessary steps to ensure we get this right.
“We’re seeking direction and clarity on how to proceed with the petition and we’re committed to delivering a new indoor aquatic facility that serves our community while being responsible with public funds.”
The City is currently obtaining a Class D cost estimate based on the facility described in the petition, which may form part of the evidence supporting the court application. A Class D estimate is an early-stage construction cost estimate used to assess a project’s potential costs and financial feasibility.
Under The Cities Act, the application must be filed within 30 days of the City Clerk’s report, making Nov. 25, 2026, the deadline.
In the meantime, aquatic facility planning continues under Council’s existing direction. The project steering committee is advancing cost estimates and project planning while assessing any potential impacts of the legal process on future decisions and timelines.
An aquatic facility project update is scheduled for the Nov. 23 Council meeting.
The City will provide further updates as the legal process of the petition progresses.
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For inquiries contact:
Paige Tenbult
Communications Coordinator | City of Weyburn
(306) 848-3236 | ptenbult@weyburn.ca