After Four Years Johnson Leaving Wakamow Valley Authority's Helm
By Robert Thomas
After nearly four years at the helm, Todd Johnson, general manager of the the Wakamow Valley Authority (WVA) is set to move on to new adventures. Commencing October 14th Johnson is moving to HR/Business Partners for the Saskatchewan Health Authority.
“The (Wakamow) Valley (Authority) has been great to work for. One of my friends put it ‘it has probably the best office views’ in the world’. The people and the teams that have been there have been fantastic,” Johnson told MJ Independent.
He gave an example of what he saw on a regular basis.
“This morning I came into work and there are three deer sitting in the parking lot just staring at me. That doesn’t happen everywhere so it is a pretty special place for Moose Jaw.”
Johnson said he enjoyed his tenure with the Wakamow Valley Authority.
“The Board is really supportive and of course the volunteers are a great group of people. It is good all away around,” he said.
Johnson said his leaving was a tough choice but he and his wife discussed the move and then decided to take the opportunity the SHA offered.
“I am just happy to join the team there. I will be working out of Moose Jaw and I will get to meet some new people and get to work with a great team there,” he said about the move.
During his tenure Johnson helped preside not just over the day to day operations of Wakamow but because of the COVID - 19 pandemic the park witnessed a mini revival as people rediscovered the great outdoors when indoor activities were curtailed due to pandemic restrictions. People flocked to the Park looking for outdoor things to do.
“I think we really did some great things. Whether if be the Mosaic Food Farm or the Valley of Lights or the Farmer’s Market. Just the people and meeting them and people who use the park it has just been a really great experience.”
“The skiing, the skiing, the mountain biking, now they are starting to get the electric bikes through there, disc golf it’s huge. All areas are busy. I think it is one thing that COVID did was just bring out what there is to do in Moose Jaw. And people just can’t believe they can be five minutes away from kayaking, five minutes away from mountain biking or running. Feeding deer, watching beavers, feeding birds. I just don’t some people don’t realize that. But from COVID it really increased those numbers.”
Despite going off to new adventures Johnson said he will still be helping out Wakamow with the transition to a new general manager.
“I will always be around and I am still going to be there and do a hand off with the person that will be taking the job,” he said, adding at the present time Wakamow’s general manager job is listed until this Friday and then the Board will be doing interviews and making the final decision.
“I think it will be a smooth transition. We have great staff in all of the areas and so they will be very welcoming to whomever is selected for the position.”
Johnson said he will also be available as a volunteer.
“It’s here in Moose Jaw. From a little kid riding my bike down through there to running the park has been really exciting. I have passion and a really soft spot for the Valley there are so many great things to do. So I will be volunteering for events and trying to help out whenever I get the chance,” he said.
Asked if he had anything to add Johnson said that “I hope everyone comes out in this beautiful weather and enjoys the Park and the wildlife it is quite the gem and jewel we have in Moose Jaw. You don’t get to see it everywhere.”