ELBOW - The village of Elbow's new Harbor Golf Community Center may have opened its doors a little while ago, but there was still reason to celebrate as the venue held its official grand opening on Friday, July 7 with invited guests and a sizable turnout, with a number of people having their first opportunity to see the building up close and personal for the first time.
Featuring words shared by Jocelyn Veikle and Katie Vollmer, two people who spearheaded the gargantuan $6.5 million project from the beginning, as well as Elbow mayor Colleen Hoppenreys and local MLA Dana Skoropad, the morning event concluded with a ceremonial ribbon cutting, with Mayor Hoppenreys happily slicing the fabric and signifying history in the lakeside community.
Guests were welcome to tour the facility and enjoy baked goods and refreshments.
Work on the project – which was previously known as the Line 19 Regional Multi-Purpose Facility – at 1 Lakeside Road began in October 2021. Construction involved building the new facility, which now includes a hall that can also be used as a gymnasium, a library, a fitness centre, meeting rooms, and a kitchen, along with a large gravel parking lot.
The construction of the facility was completed earlier this year.
The Harbor Golf Community Center will serve the Village of Elbow and also the other communities along Highway 19, such as the Village of Hawarden, RM of Loreburn No. 254, Village of Loreburn, Resort Village of Mistusinne, and Village of Strongfield.
The Government of Canada invested $2.6 million toward the project, and the Government of Saskatchewan will be contributing up to $2,166,450. The Village of Elbow is responsible for funding the remainder of the project, which was done in part thanks to donations from the community.
“Our government is committed to supporting the physical and mental well-being of Canadians. This new facility will provide Elbow residents with more opportunities to stay active and engaged with their community, now and into the future. We will continue to work with our partners to support great projects like this one,” said the Honourable Dominic LeBlanc, Minister of Intergovernmental Affairs, Infrastructure and Communities in a media release.
“The Government of Saskatchewan is proud to play a role in the Village of Elbow’s multi-purpose facility project by investing more than $2.1 million toward its completion. This new infrastructure serves several communities and provides a place to gather for various events that will build fond memories and strengthen the heart of this special part of our great province,” said the Honourable Dana Skoropad, MLA for Arm River and Saskatchewan’s Minister of Environment, on behalf of the Honourable Don McMorris, provincial Minister of Government Relations in the release.
“Thanks to the investments by the Government of Canada and the Government of Saskatchewan, our business community and everyone in the area who pitched in their time, expertise and donations, this day is finally here. We did it! I’m so proud of everyone coming together in the region to achieve this common goal and to make this part of the province even better for all who call it home today and will tomorrow,” said Her Worship Colleen Hoppenreys, Mayor of the Village of Elbow in the release.