Indian Head Main Street Unveils Plans

In August of 2011, the Provincial Ministry of Tourism, Parks, Culture and Sport announced that Indian Head was one of four communities in Saskatchewan selected to a pilot program - Main Street Saskatchewan.  The Ministry committed to provide cost shared funding of up to $125,000 per year per community for up to three years.  The program uses a four point approach of Community Organization, Promotion, Economic Restructuring and Design/Heritage Conservation to support communities in revitalizing their historic commercial areas.

The Indian Head Main Street Revitalization Committee has been active behind the scenes establishing an office and organizing committees to work on the four points of the program.  The Committee recently unveiled a capital program to assist downtown businesses to improve their store fronts.  The Main Street Revitalization Committee views this as the first in a number of initiatives that will increase activity in the business areas and the Town of Indian Head.

Why the need to focus attention on the downtown business district?  As Carol Lifkind a renowned author said of Main Street, "downtown provides a sense of community and place, it is a powerful symbol of shared experiences, of common memory, of the challenge and struggle of building a civilaization.  Main Street was always familiar, always recongnizable as the heart and soul of the village, town or city."  The Indian Head Main Street Revitalization Committee believes in a downtown that is indispensable to a healthy community which includes:

- A downtown that is a prominent employer for the community.

- A downtown that is the historic core of the community.

- A downtown that provides a diverse shopping experience including medical services, educational services, social opportunities, unique shopping....

- A central business district that is a tourist attraction.

- A downtown that represents a vast amount of private and public investment opportunity.

- A downtown that provides a sense of community and place.

The Indian Head Main Street Revitalization program strives to keep Downtown Indian Head as the center for local activity - whether it is doing business, socializing with friends, participating in local events, watching a parade, it is a critical part of what makes Indian Head a great place to live, work and play!!  For more information on the Capital Program, other programs or how to get involved please contact the Indian Head Main Street Office at 695-2771.