A lot of people may consider Friday 13 unlucky, but for people connected with the Neerlandia Co-op it was a day of celebration.
That’s because on Friday, March 13, hundreds of people were on hand to see the doors of the new Neerlandia Co-op building open for the first time a mere 629 days after a devastating fire destroyed the Neerlandia Co-op Home and Farm Centre.
Albert Mast, Neerlandia Co-op General Manager, said he was so pleased so many people could come out to help celebrate the store’s grand opening.
Maureen Kubinec, MLA for Barrhead-Morinville-Westlock, said she too was happy to see so many people come out to celebrate, not only a grand opening of a store, but of the Alberta spirit.
“The fact that we are standing here today and we are opening this wonderful building, a mere 22 months after a fire destroyed the old building, is a testament to what Neerlandia is and that is the entrepreneurial spirit that exemplifies Alberta,” she said, adding that the people of Neerlandia faced adversity head on and found a way to overcome it. “I am so incredibly proud to represent the people of this area for what you have done to build this wonderful building.”
Barrhead County Reeve, Bill Lee, echoed Kubinec’s sentiments.
“The Co-op is a testament to the community you have here in Neerlandia. There was a disaster, but instead of saying ‘Oh pity me’ you guys built this fantastic facility,” he said. “Not only did you build it within a reasonable budget and I commend everyone involved for that. The Co-op board, the management team and the rest of the staff.”
Richard Krikke, Neerlandia Co-op Board President, added his congratulations and thanks to all the Co-op staff and board members as well as to all the construction companies and trades people who made the store a reality.
