ECA Review / Sumitted
Residents at Hanna Long Term Care and Hanna Lodge will have a new source of entertainment and comfort this summer as the facilities welcome a group of Indian Runner ducks and hens.
During the regular meeting on May 9, the Town of Hanna council passed a motion to allow Hanna Long Term Care to bring in Indian Runner ducks for the summer season.
“We just thought it would be a really nice thing that we can have for them over the summer,” Lina Karg, the recreation therapist at Hanna Long Term Care. “Sort of like a pet therapy sort of thing and increase socialization.”
Pet therapy of any kind can improve health and quality of life for those living in long-term care.
“So a lot of our residents actually grew up on farms and had ducks and chickens,” Karg said. Having the ducks may help to provide a more home-like environment and can allow the residents a chance to care for the animals like they once enjoyed.
The ducks will be hatched and will then be raised in the courtyard which can only be accessed through the facility. In the fall the ducks will be rehomed.
Hanna Lodge is taking the same approach but with hens instead. They currently have an incubator with 36 eggs that will be hatching on May 25.
“We’ve actually involved a few of our residents and they’re extremely excited,” said Shelly David, the office administrator for the Hanna Lodge. “If you ever come into the lodge, you’ll see my desk area is covered in chicken facts.”
Hanna Lodge will have a little hen house with a run for the hens at the back part of the lodge which opens into a field. A space will be fenced off for the hens.
The hope is that the animals will help the residents at Hanna Long Term Care and the Hanna Lodge get excited and be involved in something.
Visitor Centre management
Hanna’s Visitor Information Centre (VIC) will be operated and managed by Harvest Sky for the 2023 season, following an agreement between the company and the Town of Hanna.
The decision was made during a regular council meeting on May 9, where a motion was carried out to approve Harvest Sky’s proposal.
The move is expected to bring positive changes to the centre’s operations and boost tourism in the area as Harvest Sky brings its expertise to the table.
Harvest Sky and the VIC will sell ice cream and provide customer service and tourism services to locals and visitors.
Harvest Sky Economic Development Corporation will be responsible for VIC seasonal staff requirements, VIC staff travel and training, advertising, marketing and printing, and any materials and supplies for the retail operation of the VIC.
If the operation facility shows a financial loss at the end of the season, the Town of Hanna will compensate Harvest Sky.
“I do believe whether it’s going to be a success financially will depend on government grants,” said Kim Neil, the CAO for the Town of Hanna.
Neil said the town and Harvest Sky have not received notice on the Canada Summer Jobs application.
“If they are successful, I think they’ll probably have a fairly breakeven season,” Neil said. “If they’re not, that’s probably going to be some extra compensation that the town will have to step up for.”
While there was some concern from Coun. Sandra Murphy about whether there would be a loss of motivation coming into the project due to Harvest Sky knowing if they had a financial loss, they would be compensated.
“I think there’s full competence in what Mark can do,” said Coun. Angie Warwick. “He was fully competent, and will do it.”
Jessica Campbell
ECA Review
