‘The Dream’ becomes a reality

Gordon Buchanan was giving the honour of cutting the ribbon, created by students at Prairie River Junior High School, and held at both ends by Sydney Fillion and Kelsey Keay. At the left side of Buchanan (from left) are MP Brian Jean, MLA Pearl Calahasen and Justin Olansky. At Buchanan’s right side are Reeve Alvin Billings, Mayor Rick Dumont and Master of Ceremonies Garand Jones.

South Peace News

With fists in the air, Gordon Buchanan yelled “Go, Regals, Go!” and drew a standing ovation as he did. Buchanan spoke during the grand opening ceremony in the Gordon Buchanan Recreation Centre in the evening of April 4, and he praised those who were involved with its construction. Other dignitaries included Garand Jones (the master of ceremonies), MLA Pearl Calahasen, MP Brian Jean, Mayor Rick Dumont, Reeve Alvin Billings, Lindsay Pratt of the Sports Complex Society and Graham Lewis from High Prairie Minor Hockey. They offered similar praise to all who gave their time, money and energy to the arena, and presented numerous gifts to various people and organizations as well. Kelsey Keay and Sydney Fillion hold the banner created by the Prairie River Junior High School, while Buchanan using a large pair of scissors to cut through it, officially opened the new arena. Then he dropped a puck for Jared Dumont and Shelby Pratt in the ceremonial face-off. The rink was then cleared for a kids’ hockey game, and the High Prairie Figure Skating Club followed with their own skills demonstration. On the second floor, there was a VIP lounge, and the walls were decorated with children’s artwork detailing the significance of the new arena to them. Other activities during the day, included a hockey skills competition. Boys and girls played, and they were divided into Team Red and Team White, and by age categories. They participated in a speed skating competition, a hardest shot contest in which their shots’ speed was measured by a radar gun, and a shootout. In the new Performing Arts Centre, the High Prairie Repertoire Dance Society, the High Prairie Ukrainian Dance Club and the Driftpile Community School Performers entertained a packed audience with a variety of dance demonstrations. More photos of this event in the Photo Gallery.

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