By returning to his roots to live in Weyburn, Randy and Cheryl Ivany are now central to their families’ homes across Canada.

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“I always wanted to live here in Weyburn, so when the opportunity came around, I took it,” said Randy.

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“Weyburn is the perfect size. You’re only an hour from Regina and Saskatoon’s only a few hours away. You’ve got good options here.”

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Middle of Canada

Before moving to Weyburn, Randy worked underground in gold mining and they lived in Marathon, Ont., a community with a population about a third the size of Weyburn’s. When they lived in Marathon, his two daughters lived nearby in Thunder Bay. Meanwhile, his son is located in Vancouver.

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“It’s about the same distance both ways now,” said Randy, given that Thunder Bay is about 1,200 kilometres east of Weyburn, while Vancouver is about 1,800 km west.

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Then, there are Randy’s siblings. Two of his brothers live in other parts of Saskatchewan while another brother is in Alberta. Randy’s sister’s family lives in Weyburn.

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Happy campers

Spending time with family at Nickle Lake Regional Park, near Weyburn, was a highlight of Randy and Cheryl’s summers in 2018 and 2019. Nickle Lake Regional Park is on the shores of Nickle Lake and Souris River. Visitors travel gently sloping roads to get to their campsite, find a picnic spot or reach the lake to swim or fish. Tall poplars shade the road entering the park and children gather on grassy areas or at the playground to play. Simple pleasures, such as ice cream from the local shop or a crackling fire at your campsite, become even more enjoyable when the pace of life slows while camping.  

Westward home

Randy and Cheryl drove their motorhome and car out from Ontario for their stay at the park with his niece and her family. Being there for a month at a time allowed Randy and Cheryl to sample living in the area, given the park’s location about 11 km south of the city. They enjoyed their experience so much, they decided to put their names in for a draw for a seasonal spot in 2020, becoming the lucky recipients of one.

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In April 2020, they made their move west. They spent their first month in Weyburn at an Airbnb before the camping season opened. Their plan had been to spend their summer at Nickel Lake Regional Park and their winter travelling, making their way to Arizona. Instead, they bought a home in Weyburn.

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Close to home

Now, they have more insight into the cost of living in Weyburn. Utility costs are the same or lower, in some cases, than what they were paying in Ontario. The price of gas is considerably less than what his son pays in Vancouver. As for their household needs, they are pleased with what is offered in Weyburn.

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“We like to do all our shopping here,” said Randy.

“Whatever we need is here. That’s why we chose Weyburn.”

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He appreciates that the community is thriving. He has seen what happens to a community that heavily depends on a mine that is at the end of its life. As the population dwindles, the services start to disappear. He doesn’t have that concern about his future in Weyburn.

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“Everything here in Weyburn is still going,” said Randy.

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Choosing Weyburn

Randy has lived in many communities across Canada during his career, giving him good insight into what makes a community one worth the move. During his mining career, Randy and Cheryl lived in other parts of Saskatchewan, as well as Manitoba and New Brunswick, in addition to his time in Ontario at the end. He is grateful to live in Weyburn at this stage of his life.

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“Anybody asks me about it, we say we love living here and they should actually consider retiring here,” said Randy.

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