After an estimated 3,000 hours of volunteer work and a nearly $400,000 cash infusion over the last three years the community of Jarvie was ready to open its newly renovated community centre with an Oct. 12 celebration that included words from dignitaries, tours and an official ribbon-cutting ceremony.
“We’re blessed to have such an amazing community that’s willing to come out and help with different projects,” said Pauline Lea, a member of the Jarvie Community Council which spearheaded the transformation of what was once Jarvie School into what is now the Jarvie Community Center.
Congratulations to the community were brought from Westlock County Coun. Dennis Primeau, former Jarvie Community Council president Ross Lea and Pembina Hills Public Schools trustee Wendy Scinski.
When Jarvie School closed its doors at the end of the 2013-2014 school year, the community council purchased the vacant building from the school division for a single dollar with the intent of converting it into a community centre complete with kitchen, accessible bathroom and probably most needed of all, a new roof.
The school division agreed to help pay for the construction of a new pitched roof and that was matched with grant money from the province and Westlock County.
Alvin Stedel coordinated renovation efforts and things happened very quickly under his watch, said Lea, and in just under three years the new community centre was ready for the community to enjoy.
“Volunteers put the shingles on and we had the Geritol Construction Group, the average age on the roof some days was over 70. Many seniors have the time to volunteer and we have some highly energetic seniors up here,” said Lea, who is also treasurer of the Jarvie Seniors Association.
The gym floor has also been refinished to accommodate floor curling instead of basketball. The gym is also well used for pickleball and volleyball.
“It’s one of the nicest floor curling facilities in the area now,” Lea said.
The library has been kept in place, but a wall was knocked down between the remaining two rooms to make way for a kitchen, complete with brand new fixtures and appliances which were fundraised for by the community council.
There’s also been a tremendous amount of grant money involved with the renovation, said Lea. A Community Facility Enhancement Program grant featured heavily, as did a contribution from Westlock County’s Capital and Grant Program which went towards the new roof and siding, parking lot, sidewalks, family bathroom and new south door.
The Employment and Social Development Canada New Horizons for Seniors Program and Jarvie Seniors Association also provided funding for the new automatically opening front doors and a new memorial garden was placed out front, paid for with memorial funds.
A second flag pole was also installed in front of the building and two new flags were raised to commemorate the day.
The community is “justifiably proud” in seeing their vision through from start to finish, said Lea. She expects the building will be busy every night of the week.
“We’ve had weddings, we’ve had funerals, we’ve had dinners, we’ve had fundraisers in the facility,” said Lea. “During the winter, it’s busy every day of the week.”
