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Enilda facility named in
honour of Craig Bissell
Chris Clegg
for South Peace News
It was unanimous!
Everyone agreed it
was an appropriate gesture
to name the Municipal
Services Facility in
Enilda in honour of
Craig Bissell.
The long-time fire
chief and councillor who
served the area on both
the Improvement District
and M.D. councils
was fondly remembered
during opening ceremonies
June 12.
“I had the honour of
sitting on council with
Craig for many years,”
said Reeve Alvin Billings
in his address.
But he couldn’t resist
taking a small jab by reminding
everyone
Bissell always referred
to Enilda as “The Forgotten
Hamlet”.
“We’re very proud of
these buildings,” said
Billings. “They’re for
your protection and for
your use.”
He also praised
Bissell for his dedication
to the Enilda fire department
and ensuring it
had the equipment to
properly protect its citizens.
“He was a good councillor
and it’s a great
tribute to have this
named after him,” he
concluded.
The Craig Bissell Municipal
Services Facility
was construction By
ELS Construction in
2008-09 at a cost of
$730,000. The building is
3,600-square-feet, has
in-floor heating and energy
saving lights. It
houses both the fire department
and Family
and Community Services
offices in the upper
floor.
Church of the
Nazarene Pastor Arnie
Wylie gave the opening
address and blessing.
“Craig strongly believed
that the people of
a hamlet, especially his
own hamlet of Enilda,
deserved all that a town
or city had. Craig, a longtime
fire chief here, included
the protection of
well-trained and
well-equipped fire hall.
“I am told that Craig
would have been humbled
by this tribute, but
would have appreciated
the recognition,” continuedWyllie.
“Craig would
have been very pleased
with the Enilda fire department
as it exists
today.”
Bissell first served on
council in 1987 and
served 16 years over six
terms before his passing
from cancer Aug. 28,
2006. He helped form
and served the Enilda
department in 1980 with
his brother, Donald.
Both previously served
on the High Prairie fire
department where they
were named
Firefighter-of-the-Year.
Craig’s widow, Peggy,
was unable to attend the
ceremony because of a
previous commitment to
a cancer fundraiser. Two
of his three boys, Brian
and Christopher, did
attend
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MDignitaries cut the fire hose which is a traditional way of opening a fire hall. Left-right are M.D. of Big
Lakes Big Meadow – Enilda Councillor Ray Dupres, Enilda’s senior fire officer Fred Caudron and M.D.
Reeve Alvin Billings |
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