The Town of Westlock’s 100th anniversary time capsule has been sealed, although aside from argon gas the contents will remain a mystery until 2066.
During a March 13 ceremony at the Rotary Spirit Centre, mayor Ralph Leriger noted that it took two people to seal the vessel and only they know the final contents.
“Everyone was offered the opportunity to bring their suggestions forward,” he said.
“We compiled those suggestions and prioritized them because it wouldn’t all fit. Really, the only guy who knows what’s all in there is the guy who put the lid on.
“All we really know is that there’s argon in there. So I guess in 50 years they’ll open it and find out.”
However, 100th anniversary committee chairperson and former mayor Shirley Morie hopes a list of the contents will eventually come to light.
“I’m hoping that they will release a list of what went in there so we all know. Because we sure as heck will not be around in 50 years, or at least I won’t,” said Morie.
The list of submitted items hoped to added to the capsule included a number of 100th anniversary memorabilia, a Westlock Community Directory, a road map of the town, a list of babies born in 2016, pictures of the graduating classes of 2016, an aerial photo of Westlock and a letter to the people of 2066.
Regardless of the contents, all agreed that the time capsule was a great way to cap the town’s 100th anniversary celebrations which ran throughout 2016.
“This will be something for people to look at and be curious for the next 50 years,” said Coun. Wyatt Glebe. “That will remind everyone of the celebration we had for our 100th anniversary.”
Leriger noted that the capsule would probably provide great entertainment for the people of the future.
“Think back 50 years,” he said. “Think of where we were in 1966 as a community to where we will be in 50 years from now.
“I’m sure while we thought of very interesting items to place in the capsule, they will look at those items and look back at us and say, ‘My, they were a backyard lot.’ But isn’t that the way progress goes?”
The capsule has been placed in a cabinet at the Rotary Spirit Centre where it will become the centre-piece of a new trophy case documenting the town’s ongoing achievements.
