Peter Sanden, right presents list of appreciations some of the drivers behind the hall project including (l-r) Carey Taubert, Pam Collett, Kathy Dundas, Jennifer Pratt, Wendy Kaiser and Pete Anderson.
There was an air of celebration last Saturday night, January 24, in Hussar. A community proud of a job well done, in a well-built hall.
The community celebrated the completion of the community hall project. The community has been working hard to fundraise to renovate and improve the hall, which had been in need of care for some time.
Originally constructed in the 1970s, the hall has a new lease on life thanks to the hard work of the community.
Peter Sanden emceed the evening and explained there were a number of phases to the project including completing storage room, and then the front entrance.
“Phase 3 is what you are looking at tonight,’ said Sanden. This includes the new bar area, upgrades to the electrical and HVAC as well as the Cenovus Energy Kitchen.
He explains the momentum really took off when Hussar’s entry to the UFA Get and Give Contest was successful. From there, major sponsors including Husky, Richardson Pioneer, CNRL and Chinook Credit Union came out to support the project.
On this evening, the community honoured the namesake of the kitchen, Cenovus, which donated $150,000. Sanden described this donation as a breath of air, as they were working on the project. Rachelle Demoskoff of Cenovus was on hand at the celebration.
“At Cenovus it is really important for us to support and participate in programs and events that bring families and communities together, like what happens at this community centre,” she said. “We believe this contributes to the community where we operate and many of our employees live as well. That is why we are so proud to be sponsors of the Hussar Community Centre.”
Ben Armstrong Councillor for Wheatland County explained the County’s Community Enhancement Program. The county contributed $153,750 to the hall.
“Most grants are for new capital, anyone can build a new building, but to maintain the one you already have seemed to be the big issue,” he said. “The driving factor behind what we put into place was that we would like to see it go towards maintenance and the upkeep of the building we have in place.”
Sanden praised the spirit of the community for completing this type of projects. While they are very grateful for the support of the major sponsors, the community contributed 43 per cent of the funding to the $1.2 million project.
“We all sit down and focus on one project. That is why we get stuff done. That is why we have an arena, that is why we have a curling rink, that is why we have a new hall, and we’re not done, don’t kid yourself,” he said.
