Water Valley Community Centre opens

About 150 people attended the grand opening of the new Water Valley Community Centre on Sunday, representing the culmination of 18 years of community-wide effort.

The new hall stands just west of the former hall, which was built in 1942 and expanded in 1972.

With more than 6,100 square feet of space, the new hall cost $1.3 million to build and has a capacity of more than 300 guests, said Water Valley Community Association president and chairman of the building committee Harold Baxandall.

Groundbreaking on the new hall took place in August 2017 and the doors opened in July.

During an official ribbon-cutting ceremony, Baxandall called the new facility a great addition to the Water Valley community, made possible by the tireless efforts of volunteers and the support of area residents, businesses and various levels of government.

“This new community centre is a result of 18 years of vision, fundraising, volunteerism and hard work by many generations of Water Valley residents,” said Baxandall. “I am proud to live in such a great rural community.”

Money has been raised through various activities, including turkey dinners, bingos and casino nights.

Other money came from business donations, individual donations and the provincial and federal governments.

The building committee that spearheaded the completion of the new hall is made up of Baxandall, Carol Shumski, Deidre Palendat, Denise Atter, Elly VandenEnden, Kerry Litzenberger, Lorne Patmore, Rick and Kristy Sarsons, Ron Corban and Shauna Ward.

“I am proud of the work that the building committee has done to engage the Water Valley and area residents,” he said. “That engagement results in a building that has a rural feel, fits in with the rest of Water Valley, celebrates our history and will meet our needs for the next 75 plus years.

“Hopefully this new hall lasts as long as our previous hall. It’s a lot of history that has got us here today.”

He commended the many past and present volunteers, area individuals and families, local businesses, service clubs, various levels of governments and others who helped make the new centre possible.

The project managers are Ken Ionel and Dick Dickinson of Provincial Steel Buildings.

The new centre has a large main auditorium as well as a modern kitchen, meeting rooms and other common areas.

In a note read out by Baxandall, federal Minister of Infrastructure and Communities Francois-Phillippe Champagne said, in part, that, “This new and improved centre will no doubt become an important hub for community events, sports activities, educational workshops and more. It is an exciting addition to your beautiful town.”

Historic photos and plaques with the names of many past and current Water Valley and area families and individuals are being placed in the entrance foyer of the new building.

“We need to raise more funds to pay off our mortgage,” said Baxandall. “We are continuing to ask businesses that work in the Water Valley region for donations. We are also selling plaques that will join the ones from our old hall in the foyer.

“Additionally we are auctioning off parts of the old hall. Check online and silent auction at the general store.”