The Weyburn Wor-Kin Shop Corporation made a financial turn-around from the previous year, due in large part to an increase in business from the oil industry, the group's annual general meeting was told.

The AGM was co-chaired by executive director Andria Brady, her first since joining the organization, and those attending included staff, board members, City representatives and partner agencies.

A short video presentation was made showcasing the many program participants who are involved with the Wor-Kin Shop.

President Gary Cooney noted in his report that a year ago, the chairman said the corporation would be unable to continue as an organization unless there were a turn-around from the large deficit on last year's books.

A turn-around "would in turn provide positive change to programming geared to the changing needs of the participants. I am happy to report that these two concerns have been addressed. We have, not a deficit, but a surplus this year. Our financial statements are on track," said Cooney.

The audited financial statements were provided by Meyers Norris Penny, which showed the positive change to a small surplus this year "was mainly due to continued high production in the workshop, serving the busy oil industry. This is the main source of outside revenue generation for the organization, to make up for the shortfall in funding, and it is hoped that this area remains strong in the year ahead."

An ongoing struggle for the Wor-Kin Shop remains the recycling program, and trying to get residents to use the services properly, a complaint often voiced at city council.

The challenge is to keep garbage and non-recyclable material out of the green recycling bins operated by the city, including a group of the bins adjacent to the Wor-Kin Shop. In addition, there have been unwanted dropoffs at the Wor-Kin Shop property after hours, which poses problems for Wor-Kin Shop staff.

The city has posted signs warning of fines for those in violation of the city's bylaw, and the sign seems to have had some success so far.

In her report, Brady noted the Wor-Kin Shop will need to either move to a new location or do major renovations to their present facility on East Avenue, possibly within this next year. She cited the higher needs of the aging participants in the shop program as one of the main factors, plus the fact the current facility which houses the SARCAN bottle depot does not have the space needed for the increasing volumes of returnable containers.

The board members for the upcoming year include Gary Cooney, president; Ken Meckling, vice-president; Kim Reeve, secretary-treasurer; and directors Pat Maloney, Scott McLeod and Trudy Richards. Anyone interested in joining the board can contact any current board member for more information.