Standard Community Hall finally sees a Grand Opening

Times Contributor  

 

Well over 400 people attended the Grand Opening of the newly built Standard Community Hall despite the poor weather conditions on Saturday, April 13.

After Lyndsay Goebel sang ‘Oh Canada’ to kick off the official opening of the hall, Mayor Allan Larsen welcomed local dignitaries to the event. Not only local and surrounding area County Councillors but MLA Jason Hale and Nosehill/Calgary MLA Dr. Neil Brown came out for the afternoon program. 

Dr. Neil Brown was there on behalf of the Provincial Government and gave the hall committee a second installment of $150,000 to President Brent Gregory (the first $125,000 they received in February).They will receive another $100,000 in the near future toward the costs of the $2.6 million dollar project. 

Brown said the “centre is for not only the community but will be a lasting legacy to the children and future generations of Standard for fundraisers, dinners, dances, weddings and celebrations of life. It is wonderful that it also was designed to be a disaster relief centre. This is not just a community hall but rather a great community hall.”

Susan Bragg was awarded with a plaque that recognized all her hard work toward the cause of the new Hall as she sat on the Hall Board, the Building Committee and on the Fundraising Committee. 

After Bragg was recognized, long time residents Elmer and Leona Jensen (who recently celebrated their 72 wedding anniversary) were privileged to perform the official ribbon cutting declaring the Standard Hall to be “open for business in the heart of Wheatland County.”

MLA for Strathmore/Brooks, Jason Hale gave his congratulations.

“This hall is a testament in this community’s involvement,” said Hale. “It is the heart and soul of Alberta that makes ideas come to fruition.”

After the hall was declared open, the community and special guests were treated to a roast beef supper and spent time visiting with friends and family who came out.