Expect recreation in Dauphin to look a little different in 2025 compared to the past.

In light of an RM resolution indicating “the RM of Dauphin has decided to terminate their participation in the Dauphin Recreation Services Board and terminate the Dauphin Recreation Services Agreement effective December 31, 2024,” city councillors, senior city managers and managers from Dauphin Recreation Services formed a special planning group to deal with impending funding shortfalls.

RM council has since affirmed its commitment to recreation and by resolution on July 23 provided $375,000 in funding to DRS for 2025 operations and capital expenditures.

While Dauphin mayor Daivid Bosiak is pleased RM council has provided some funding for recreation this year, the work of the special planning group will continue.

“We’re moving ahead with 2025 based on what we know and that’s going to mean changes to DRS operations, programs, facilities, those are still to be determined,” Bosiak said.

“There will be some kind of, I’m calling it at this point adjustments because even with the $375,000 that the RM has committed by resolution . . . that’s still a couple hundred thousand, short of what we need. The city, who has been backfilling since 2017, we’re at our max of being able to back fill. So the only other option is DRS has to find more money somewhere, raise more money, or reduce costs somehow.”

Bosiak added the special planning group is focused on the coming year and “will not be delayed or diverted by any issues.” The City, he added, is looking forward to productive talks with the RM about recreation in 2026 and beyond.

Read the full story in this week’s edition of the Dauphin Herald.