For the Village of Standard, 2022 was a momentous year as the village celebrated its 100 year, and completed a number of infrastructure projects including bringing reliable, high-speed internet access to village residents and providing residents with new recreation opportunities.
The village began its centennial celebrations on the actual date of its incorporation at the end of April with cupcakes, and a demonstration using time period accurate equipment and horses to seed a field near the site of the former Standard School. A centennial celebration was held in August which brought the community together to reminisce and celebrate the history of the village with numerous activities throughout the day. During this celebration, the field seeded in April was harvested, again using period accurate equipment, and the public was welcomed to lend a hand. The celebration wrapped up with a roast beef dinner and musical performances by Aaron Krabsen and the Cat Country Band.
In preparation for the centennial celebrations, the Standard Community Facility Enhancement Society, who takes care of the village’s walking path known as Memory Lane, completed construction of enclosed picnic shelter and bathrooms along the walking path along with the interior of one of the prominent features of Memory Lane, an original CP Rail caboose.
Work was also completed on the Broadway project over the summer which saw water, sewer, pavement and sidewalks replaced along the village’s main street core, known as The Broadway.
The Standard Ag Society was also busy with preparations, installing hockey boards and puck nets around its outdoor rink and connecting to LiveBarn, which will allow residents and other subscribers to watch events at the indoor rink both live and on demand.
Final remnants of the former Standard School, which was demolished in late 2019, were cleared away from the site over the summer. The site, which includes an open field, playground, baseball diamond, and track area, was officially declared Centennial Park in August; the open field is where the centennial celebration crop was planted and harvested. Local artist Whitney Sommerfeldt designed a sign for the park, which was then manufactured by D-Alta.
Work was completed by Connect Mobility to bring high speed, reliable internet service to the Standard area. This service is available to residents within the village, as well as some acreages in the surrounding areas. Council approved the project in late 2021 and says it was made possible through Wheatland County’s Infrastructure Grant Fund. With services already available, it is hoped this infrastructure network can be expanded to reach more acreages.

The Village of Hussar has faced a year of trying to balance keeping costs down for residents while also maintaining services. Mayor Les Schultz, Deputy Mayor Coralee Schindel, and Councillor Tim Frank reflect on the challenges and celebrations they faced in 2022, and look ahead towards 2023.
Village council held a public meeting in March to gather input from the community to help shape the 2022 budget and four-year strategic plan. Following the public consultation, council passed the 2022 budget in May and were able to reduce residential taxes slightly. Although there were no planned projects in 2022, there will be work to upgrade a block of water and sewer infrastructure beginning in spring 2023 on 1 Avenue West between Centre Street and 1 Street.
For the first time since 2019, the village was able to host its annual SummerDaze event in June; the event was previously cancelled in 2020 and 2021 due to ongoing COVID-19 restrictions. The campground saw increased revenues over the summer with some weddings and reunions, and crews working in the area rented sites in the campground over a four month period; during SummerDaze a slowpitch tournament was held, with music, entertainment, and dancing.
Council announced in June the village had received over $25,000 in grant funding to support the building and installation of a grain bin gazebo at the campground. This also included costs to install benches and electrical.
Village council and administration has also been working towards an Urban Hen bylaw after receiving a request from a resident proposing to keep backyard chickens. The proposed bylaw has undergone first and second reading, as well as a public hearing, and is currently awaiting third reading consideration.
The village welcomed new Chief Administrative Officer (CAO) Liz Santerre in November after former CAO Kate Brandt tendered her resignation in September after more than three years working for the village. Administration assistant Michelle Plante temporarily took up the role of interim CAO and has been helping Ms. Santerre transition into her role.
Hussar Ag Society held a successful in-person Stag Auction, with the Skating Club organizing a roast beef dinner in November, raising nearly $50,000 to support arena operations.
The eighth annual Light Up the Night event, where campsites and trees at the campground are decorated in honour of loved ones who have passed, was held on December 3; funds raised from this event help support the Hussar Crisis Fund.