You'd be forgiven for thinking there was little more than a convenience shop, a bar and a small liquor store, judging from the outside on an average night. But go beyond the back walls of the Springbrook General Store and your eyes will open to a future of community life that includes a working dinner theatre, a gymnasium as wide as most are long and plans for an archery range.
The 42,100-square foot facility was originally built in 1951 as part of the Canadian Forces base.
Now the husband and wife duo of Chuck and Gladys Woodrow, who currently operate the bar and retail, have received the go-ahead from Red Deer County to reopen the military relic as the Springbrook Multiplex. They hope their efforts will be the tie that binds nearby residents together as one.
“We want this to be something that pulls the community together,” Chuck said, brandishing a giant grin under his bushy handlebar moustache.
The pair have counted 37 kids wandering around Pine Street at one time, with nothing better to do. Gladys says she hopes the new facility, which will play host to farmers' markets, thespians, frequent jam sessions, sporting activities and an archery range, will give kids something to do.
“The kids are the most important part of the community,” she said. “They're our future.”
Travelling through the modernist era artifact is like passing through a maze, with hallways appearing at right angles of reinforced concrete. Most recently Trinidad Drilling used the building for worker training.
Michael Lewis, president of the Springbrook Community Association thinks the new recreation centre is just what the town needs, since the community is rapidly expanding.
“I think it's important for the advancement of our youth program,” he said. “We want to lend our support as much as possible.”
Red Deer County administration had originally recommended the project be turned down due to an inadequate number of parking stalls for the overall building capacity.
George Berry of Berry Architecture & Associates told council initial usage would not come close to filling the current parking lot, and stressed an ongoing agreement is in place with the nearby curling club to share parking.
Coun. Penny Archibald agreed no additional parking would be necessary.
“This is a small community,” she said. “Most people are going to walk to where they're going.”
Coun. Philip Massier indicated his support during the discussion but asked about the ability to regulate parking into the future.
Administration noted when building uses are officially added the issue could be re-evaluated.
Mayor Jim Wood said he is confident parking wouldn't create any significant concern.
“This building's been in operation for decades,” he said. “There's never been a problem.”
As the motion passed unanimously Coun. George Gehrke struck a jubilant tone.
“We've wanted to see success here for so long,” he said. “Good luck to the applicant.”
