The wait will soon be over — the Westlock Rotary Spirit Centre will officially open its doors at a grand opening ceremony scheduled for Saturday, June 16.
Residents will have several activities to choose from throughout the day, such as an indoor/outdoor kids’ carnival, a ribbon-cutting ceremony and an evening dinner and dance.
Fundraising committee co-chair Todd Ducharme said he expects the grand opening will follow the successful Montreal Canadian Alumini game that raised approximately $20,000.
With a large crowd anticipated throughout the day Ducharme said he also expects a few familiar sporting organizations to get in on the action as well.
“There will also be a mini trade fair for any non-profit organization that wants to showcase their thing. So if it’s minor hockey, or taekwondo or the wrestling club they will be able to set up a little display booth,” he said.
A fireworks display is also being considered to end the night with a bang if weather permits and if there is not a fire ban, he said.
The committee has already raised close to $1.4 million towards its goal of $1.6 million, with estimated costs of the Spirit Centre valued at $15 million,
Committee members expect the remaining $200,000 should be raised by July of this year.
“The $1.6 million was just a goal or target that we had set aside at the beginning to raise through fundraising from the community. At this point the funds that we are raising are just for the capital building project,” co-chair Glenn Baron said.
After the grand opening, residents can expect a few more fundraising projects to get underway.
There might be some stuff from the committee during the Westlock Fair days in August, Ducharme said.
Any community members looking to provide additional donations can still purchase a name-engraved seat, Ducharme said.
There is a total of 700 seats in the arena up for grabs with 80 of those seats already sold.
“We feel that the seats will sell out so I wouldn’t want people to wait until the fall to buy their seat. You can buy a seat for $500 and have your name on it. It doesn’t give you the right to that seat at any event but just shows your support,” he said.
The itinerary for the grand opening will include the kids’ carnival from 1:30-3:30 p.m., the ribbon-cutting ceremony at 3:30 p.m. and the dinner and dance portion beginning at 5:30 p.m.
Tickets for the dinner and dance portion are available for pre-sale from Ducharme at 780-349-1510 for $30. Any tickets sold at the door will be $40.
“We would like as many people to come and make it a real community event,” Ducharme said.
