By Nigel Maxwell

Nipawin plans community appreciation day after tragedy

Apr 27, 2018 | 2:00 PM

The Town of Nipawin wants to say thank you to the men and women who responded to the tragic bus crash April 6, involving the Humboldt Broncos hockey team.
 
A public event is planned for May 12 at Central Park and will involve a presentation and barbecue. Mayor Rennie Harper said she has invited a number of first responders from the community as well as surrounding communties.
 
“[It’s a chance] for the public to shake hands with them, see them and thank them in person as a way to sort of heal and move on,” she said.
 
The event will run from two to five p.m and is free to attend. Several players from the Saskatchewan Roughriders will also be there as well as Gainer the Gopher. Prince Albert’s Roger Boucher volunteered to provide entertainment.
 
The bus crash April 6, North of Tisdale, killed 16 people and injured 13. The bus carrying the team collided with a semi-trailer at the intersection of highways 35 and 335. The cause of the crash remains under investigation. Harper said there are many people in the communuity still grieving. 
 
“A lot of people who have needed it have gone and gotten help and probably one of the biggest things that we can do to help is to keep talking and listening and this event is geared at that,” she said.
 
The Nipawin Apostolic Church, which helped provide a gathering place for the families on the night of the crash, also jumped on board to help with the barbecue. The church was also responsible for organizing the community vigil. Harper said she talks to Humboldt Mayor Rob Muench a couple times a week, and he has also confirmed his attendance.
 

nigel.maxwell@jpbg.ca
 
On Twitter: @nigelmaxwell