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Grouard fire hall opens to fanfare
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Kim Sutherland, an outreach worker for Family and Community Support Services in Grouard, has an office in the new fire hall and provides youth programming in a room upstairs.
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One chop should do it! Left-right are M.D. Of Big Lakes Reeve Alvin Billings, Grouard Councillor Fern Welch and Lesser Slave Lake MLA Pearl Calahasen in the ribbon cutting ceremony. Behind them are members of the Grouard Fire Department. In the centre row, left-right, are Herman Sutherland Sr., Wayne Cardinal, Kevin Auger and Norma Auger. In the back row, at the far left, are Herman Sutherland Jr. and his daughter, Hannah. Across from them are Russell Cardinal Jr. and Jamie Chalifoux. Hidden are Ashley Mindel and Edwin “Sparky” Auger.
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Mac Olsen
for South Peace News
With a couple of axe chops to a hose line by M.D. of Big Lakes Reeve Alvin Billings and Lesser Slave Lake MLA Pearl Calahasen, the new Grouard fire hall is officially open for business.
Billings and Calahasen performed the “ribbon cutting” ceremony during the grand opening Oct. 30.
Elder James Isadore held a smudging ceremony and Father Abraham Srambical of St. Paul’s Church and firefighter Norma Auger offered prayers. The dignitaries offered accolades for the new hall.
“It is truly a help to our community,” says Calahasen. “It is certainly a great thing for us today.”
She praised all involved with the project, including Grouard Councillor Fern Welch.
The old fire hall had to be replaced, says Welch, adding she was pleased with the new hall the first time she entered.
“It was a while in coming, but worth it,” says Welch.
The new hall demonstrates the commitment of the M.D. of Big Lakes to the communities and hamlets, says Billings.
The 3,600-square-foot building can accommodate two vehicles and firefighter training and has plenty of storage space.
Grouard deputy fire chief Herman Sutherland and his 12 volunteer firefighters thank the M.D. for all they have provided. Sutherland says the fire truck could barely fit in the old hall and equipment storage was very difficult.
“It’s great to have a new building,” he says. “Now we’ve got lots of room.”
The new hall also has an office for Family and Community Support Services. Kim Sutherland, an outreach worker, had only a small room at Northern Lakes College before.
“It’s a big change from our tiny office,” says Sutherland.
She also has a room upstairs to provide youth and community programming, including a Halloween party Oct. 29. She helps low-income individuals, families and seniors, provides home visits and publishes a monthly newsletter.
Besides Grouard, Enilda and Faust also have new fire halls.
The provincial government provided $1.2 million toward construction of the new halls with the M.D. providing the reast of the money.
The fire halls serve a larger role as municipal services facilities.
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