The Town of Blackfalds hosted dignitaries, councillors, board members, AJHL team owners, and contractors for a small 'ground-breaking' ceremony at the Blackfalds Multiplex on Friday, June 19th.
The expansion was approved by Town Council in January of 2019 and now, the expansion valued at $24.6M is expected to be finished in a year’s time. A $1M contribution was made by the local Junior A-Team, Blackfalds Bulldogs, for dressing rooms and offices.
$6.6M will go towards the addition of a new library which is said to be one of the largest in Central Alberta.
Dignitaries, MP, Blaine Calkins, MLA, Ron Orr, and Lacombe County Reeve, Paula Law were thrilled to see the substantial growth of the community of Blackfalds.
Town of Blackfalds Mayor, Richard Poole was very excited to see all those who had gathered to join in the on the celebration.
“We worked on that, we developed that, the recreation board and the Dual Ice Development Society have been absolutely fantastic in providing support for it. The library is looking forward to moving into their new facility,” said Poole.
The Mayor looks forward to seeing the opportunities for growth in the community that will arise from this project.
“The community is an expanding community, it’s a growing population. We need to find ways to meet all the needs of our community. We have to find new ways to grow our community and this will be one of the ways to do it,” added Poole.
The construction of the rink did not come without challenges. Some homeowners were forced to move from their homes and make way for the renovations. Although most residents were happy with their settlements, some had taken their issues to the town council.
“I respect all the challenges that we were facing. Whenever you have a project there is going to be really respectful people on both sides that are going to say yes and they’re going to say maybe not. I am going to say that the proof will be in the pudding when they walk into our new facility in just over a year’s time and they look around. Then, they are going to be absolutely thrilled and say, 'oh this is what this is about',” explained Poole.
Another group equally excited about the Multiplex expansion is the Dual Ice Development Society, a group of volunteers dedicated to fundraising for extra elements of the renovation.
“This is the day we’ve all been waiting for. It’s a lot of hard work so to get to this point it’s been so amazing for all of us,” said Karen Sernecky, President of the Dual Ice Development Society
So far, Sernecky estimates the group has raised around $45,000 for extra parts like optimal seating, scoreboards, upgraded dressing rooms, and community use spaces. DIDS's major fundraising will ramp up soon as they start asking businesses and companies for sponsorship.
Every April, DIDS hosts a gala called 'Raise the Rink' in order to raise more funding for the multiplex. This year, unfortunately, the event had to be canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
However, along with sponsorships, DIDS will be selling seats to the Multiplex to keep busy. For only $250 your name can be a part of the Blackfalds Multiplex with a nameplate on the back of a seat. To purchase a seat you can email DIDS at dualicedevelopmentsociety@gmail.com or message them on Facebook.
Sernecky is very thankful for a dedicated group of volunteers who have helped to make the Multiplex the best that it can be.
“My team is amazing. Our whole board is so hard working. All of our extra volunteers that have helped us through every event we have done so far, have been amazing. It’s not possible if you don’t have people like that,” said Sernecky.
The entire expansion project was spearheaded by numerous dedicated and passionate workers and volunteers who were thrilled to finally break ground. The new Blackfalds Multiplex will definitely be eagerly awaited.
Thu, Apr 18, 7:00 PM
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