From Decline to Drive: How the Town of Lanigan Rebuilt Confidence, Capacity, and Momentum

In my line of work, interim municipal assignments typically last three to six months. The goal is simple: stabilize, restructure, and hand off. But sometimes, what starts as temporary triage evolves into a long-term partnership. When a community’s challenges run deep, the path to real transformation demands more than quick fixes. That’s precisely what happened in Lanigan, Saskatchewan — a town once seen as “ready to give up,” now charging forward with renewed confidence, capacity, and purpose.

The Starting Point: A Town in Trouble

When I arrived in March 2024, I had just wrapped up a successful four-month turnaround in St. Walburg, where governance, financial systems, and morale were realigned quickly. Lanigan, however, required a different kind of intervention.

The administration had been gutted. Governance lacked confidence. The broader region viewed the community in a negative light. The first few months demanded an aggressive rebuild — both structurally and culturally.

We focused on three immediate goals:

1. Rebuilding internal capacity — stabilizing administration and finances.

2. Restoring governance confidence — supporting council to shift from crisis management to vision-based leadership.

3. Re-engaging the community — shifting public sentiment toward optimism and pride.

A Fresh Start: New Council, New Direction

The 2024 municipal election brought three new members to council — the perfect catalyst for renewal. We wasted no time: new councillors were immersed in orientation, governance training, and strategic planning from day one.

By equipping leadership with clarity and confidence, we transformed council’s energy from reactive to proactive. The mindset shifted from “putting out fires” to building a sustainable future.

Building for Growth: Development Readiness and Infrastructure

Over the last eighteen months, Lanigan’s focus has been clear — growth without compromise. Guided by council, we have prioritized development readiness and infrastructure investment to prepare for the future.

Within the next 24 months, we expect $3–$5 million in new infrastructure — a mix of road, water, and residential expansion projects designed to increase capacity for new homes and businesses.

This proactive approach is a complete departure from the past 10–15 years, when development was nearly stagnant. Today, residential lots are selling, new homes are being built, and commercial interest is returning.

Pitching the New Lanigan: Marketing for Momentum

To support this growth trajectory, Lanigan has launched an ambitious marketing program — an annual investment of over $100,000 dedicated to promoting the community.

Why such a bold move? Because waiting for people to “discover” a town isn’t a strategy — it’s a stall. With major infrastructure already in the works, the time to tell Lanigan’s story is now.

This initiative is designed to:

• Position Lanigan as a regional growth hub in central Saskatchewan.

• Attract new residents, investors, and developers.

• Reinforce a brand built on confidence, opportunity, and sustainability.

Already, the results are tangible. A new 24-unit multi-family development is scheduled for early 2026, marking a symbolic and practical milestone in Lanigan’s resurgence.

The Turnaround Complete — and the Real Fun Begins

The heaviest lifting is done. The administrative systems are stable, council is united, and the community is re-energized. As we move into the next phase of this contract (running through May 2027), the focus shifts from recovery to realization — turning plans into projects and momentum into measurable growth.

As one council member put it recently:

“This is what we signed up for — and now it’s actually fun.”

Lanigan’s journey stands as proof that with the right leadership, vision, and persistence, small-town Saskatchewan can rise again.

Key Takeaways for Other Municipalities

1. Stabilize before you strategize. Get governance and administration functioning before planning for growth.

2. Invest in confidence. Council training, communication, and community engagement build the foundation for trust.

3. Market momentum early. Promote the vision before the ground is even broken — it attracts investors and builds morale.

4. Measure what matters. Celebrate every milestone — from a sold lot to a new council dynamic — as proof that progress is possible.

At Prairie Rising Consulting we give Municipalities and Organizations the capacity to rise to new challenges and thrive in a modern world. If your town or company is undergoing transformation or needs strategic insight on how to begin one, we’d love to support your journey.