Even with a big hole already lurking in the shadows behind, local politicians stuck four ceremonial shovels into a pile of dirt in Bowden on July 29, making the new community hall project officially a go.
"The community hall is the heart of any town, " said Julie Brewster, secretary for the Bowden Cultural Enhancement Society, the volunteer group that has spearheaded the effort to replace the town's aging Lion's Hall.
"We're really excited to have that giant hole in the ground over there," she told the crowd of community members, volunteers and honoured guests at the official groundbreaking ceremony.
On hand was a smorgasbord of politicians from all three levels of government, including Red Deer-Mountain View MP Earl Dreeshen, provincial MLAs, local mayors and several councillors.
"Before the end of the year, this field will be Bowden's new community hall," said Kim Schreiner, MLA for Red Deer North. "This hall will be the background to the milestones that make up our lives: reunions to rodeos, conferences to cultural events, graduations to galas."
"It is where generations of memories will be made."
Bowden mayor Robb Stuart is hoping those new memories will include shadows of the past.
"The old community hall was really a focal point for the community," he said. "There were dances there every month. And the New Year's dance ñ if you didn't buy a ticket a year ahead of time, you didn't get a ticket."
"I fully expect this one to be as thriving," said Stuart, about the new building.
"We realize the importance of each and every community hall," said Red Deer County mayor Jim Wood. "They are the heart of our communities: often most of our folks are married in these halls, and unfortunately one of the last things that happen is our funerals in these halls."
"A community hall is definitely community, and it doesn't end at the boundary," said Wood, recognizing the mayors of neighbouring communities in attendance.
Mabel Hamilton, president of the Bowden Cultural Enhancement Society, credits the project coming together to a very industrious group of volunteers.
"Look where we are today," she said, about the $1.8-million project that is on track to be completed by the new year. "I think it's an absolute accomplishment, and the reason it's an accomplishment is that we've got a very, very dedicated group, that have helped get this to where it is."
To date, the group has raised more than $1.5 million for the project, which includes a $750,000 grant from the province through the Community Facility Enhancement Program. In addition, Red Deer County donated $600,000 to the project, while the Town of Bowden helped the group purchase the land for $150,000.
"It really has been a three-level investment project," said Brewster.
On July 29, Westview Co-op added another $25,000 to the pot, with a cheque presentation from its Co-op Community Spaces program.
The Bowden Grandview School's June graduation celebrations for next year have already been slated to take place in the new hall, but Hamilton said everyone is hoping to hold this year's New Year's Eve gala as the inaugural event.
And if that isn't motivation enough, domestic pressures might do the trick.
"Just to make sure this happens in due course, there's a few of us in this community who have daughters getting married," said Hamilton. "So we have a vested interest to get this bloody thing done!"
"It is where generations of memories will be made."KIM SCHREINER MLARED DEER NORTH
