The warmer temperatures may suggest the transition from winter to spring may be closer than we think.

Changing weather also indicates the changeover from winter sports to spring and summer programs such as baseball and soccer.

Those programs were some of the talking points discussed at the Kindersley Minor Sports (KMS) Annual General Meeting this past Wednesday. Parents, guardians, and board members gathered to share feedback from last year and plans for the coming seasons.

The meeting kicked off with the reading of last year's AGM, which was held in April, to recap the discussion points then. Financial and administrative representatives presented their reports from their 2015-2016 time frame ending in August of last year.

Total ending operating surplus for the organization added up to nearly $300,000 whereas the capital fund finished with $163,960. In total, the organization finished the year with $463,096, over $30,000 in comparison to the 2015 total.

Skating Report

Sharleen Gilmour, President of the Skating Club Board presented a short yet positive year-end report. She mentioned the Town of Kindersley have not hosted any skating competitions in the last year due to a rotation schedule with other regions.

The rotation works to allow organizations to host a regional tournament every four years while they use a five-year rotation for provincial competitions. Kindersley skating are looking to show interest in hosting competitions in the next couple years.

Ball Report

Kindersley Minor Ball (KMB) were next to present their report during the gathering. Chad Miller, President of KMB, offered a very informative and interactive report for the audience. Miller explained how it is KMB's goal to constantly bring in better equipment in order to keep staff to a minimum level and help the workers complete their job efficiently. He also added how approximately 280 youth were registered last season and four touraments were hosted in the town.

Some of the projects the group plan on doing extensive work on this year include an addition to the Berard Field food booth and starting construction on a facility featuring a shop with storage and wheelchair accessible washrooms and change rooms. KMB hope to build the facility in between Berard and Flanagan Fields.

Miller mentioned how he received three quotes for the project and expects the total for construction to accumulate to $20,000; the space would be 30 x 30 with concrete floors. The R.M. of Kindersley granted KMB $5,000 towards the project. Although, KMB were hoping to receive $15,000 from the KMS surplus to go towards it. Requests and projects which exceed $5,000 require a Board member to make a motion and put it to a vote.

Attendees demonstrated their concerns suggesting Miller may want to reconsider the $20,000 ceiling for the project, and either acquire more quotes or increase the total amount available. After the Board and members from the audience shared their thoughts, it was decided to create a motion to open the total to $40,000 if necessary. This would cap the amount at $20,000, but allow Miller to request $20,000 more at another board meeting if the costs exceed the initial total. Once the motion was carried, Miller mentioned how he is open to finding more quotes for the construction.

Kindersley Minor Ball registration this year will be on Monday, March 13th at the Kindersley Elks Hall starting at 7:00 PM.

Hockey Report

Around 200 players were registered for hockey during the 2016-2017 season. The town successfully hosted a midget hockey tournament for the first time in a decade, and a girls novice team played a couple games together for the first time.

Overall, Kindersley Minor Hockey were very pleased with an outstanding hockey season which is soon coming to an end for the year.

Minor Soccer Leaves KMS

It was announced once again Kindersley Minor Soccer have decided to disocciate with Kindersley Minor Sports and will be refunded their ending surplus from 2016 of $6,343.

Kindersley Soccer are now affiliated with Saskatchewan Soccer Association (SSA) and will have their website created by Goalline, a sports website management company. The website has yet to be completed, but is said to be ready very soon.

Registration for soccer is scheduled for March 23rd at the Kindersley Elks Hall, and will be available through the website when ready as well.