|
Grouard dares to dream again
|
Duane Nichols, left, and Fern Welch chaired a meeting April 29 of the Grouard and Area Historical Society. The group is planning to preserve the history of Grouard and area. Next meeting is May 13.
|
Chris Clegg
For Spotlight
The time may now be right for Grouard to capitalize on its rich history and million dollar view overlooking Buffalo Bay.
Over 30 area residents who attended a meeting April 29 heard about the formation of the Grouard and Area Historical Society. Each person attending the meeting expressed his/her views on the future of the hamlet and the desperate need to preserve the area’s history.
Duane Nichols, Fern Welch and Louise Meyer chaired the meeting. People attending the meeting heard of Welch’s dream of a five-star hotel and Nichols’ dream of a casino. Each agreed of the vast, untapped potential of the region.
“I really believe in this,” says Nichols. “I believe it’s something we need to spearhead. We have big plans for this and I feel we’re going to go a long way.
“We’re here for a good time and an important time.”
Welch adds the formation of the society has been planned for quite some time. She announced the society has achieved registered society status with the Alberta government.
“Tonight is a brainstorming session, to bring forth ideas,” says Welch.
Nichols began sharing ideas by saying tourism was the key to the future.
“There are 1.1 million people in Edmonton and Calgary and they’ve discovered our lake,” he says, adding a big museum was a must.
The museum and/or interpretive centre was the focus of most discussion. Most agreed it would be best to start small and build on the idea, with an end goal being a facility similar to Head-Smashed-In Buffalo Jump in Southern Alberta.
A dream of a big glass building overlooking the million dollar view across Buffalo Bay complete with amenities such as restaurants, etc. which would create jobs.
Other points discussed included:
* preserving the old residential schools and existing buildings, especially St. Bernard’s Church and Moosehorn Lodge;
* the need to get young people involved in the society;
* the formation of a website;
* selling society memberships.
* graveyard preservation;
* the need to record and preserve stories told by Elders;
* distribution of a newsletter.
Nichols says it is imperative to get as many members as possible to join.
“As a society, we’ve got to be powerful,” he says.
Nichols dreams of a membership list of at least 500, which would draw the attention of government to show the society is serious about its intentions.
The time for the society to begin action is now, most agreed, because of the aging buildings. Welch says Northern Lakes College has no intention of preserving the buildings because of high maintenance costs.
“We’ve said to the college, ‘No, you can’t destroy them,’” says Welch.
M.D. of Big Lakes Prairie Echo Salt Prairie Councillor David Marx informed the society that the M.D. is working with NLC to turn over land to the M.D. who could, in turn, give it to the society. With land secured, the society could begin projects.
The society’s annual general meeting is Wednesday, May 13 at 7 p.m. at the Kisemanito Centre in Grouard. It’s the building west of Grouard Seniors Centre. Anyone with an interest in preserving the history of Grouard and area is invited to attend. The election of an executive will take place at the meeting.
Memberships are currently on sale for $10 each.
Copyright © 1999-2009 Spotlight. All Rights Reserved.
No part may be reproduced without written permission.
View our Privacy Statement.
Send website suggestions to the Webmaster
|
