The Grand Opening is done! And what a relief! It's all smooth sailing from here - hopefully!
Before we could actually have our big day last Friday there was lots of prep work. Ordering cake, picking up bar-b-que supplies, finding cabanas and tables and chairs, ordering coffee etc from the local coffee shop, talking with the media and local newspaper, even praying for drier weather! Rain for the new sod - Sunny skies for the grand opening - what do you pray for? The weather was just fine - bit of rain for the sod and bit of sun for the ribbon cutting.
Thursday was a whirlwind of cleaning both inside and out. The board room was finished (for now) and pictures needed hanging. The common area downstairs needed cleaning and our office needed a thorough tidying and dusting. Even the parking lot got swept and washed (courtesy of Kev, Kels and her dad's pressure washer)!
Friday morning Ron and Bev came early and helped with the last of the prep work which was so greatly appreciated. Not only that, they stuck around for clean-up. They have been a big support for us with willing hands and hearts!
With pictures of the Station history hung in the board room, cabanas popped up and in place, firestation bar-b-que truck parked we were ready for the people.
We estimated around 25o people or so came for the bar-b-que. Some came just for the open house (and cake!).
After the bar-b-que we had a couple of songs by a local barbershop quartet, speeches from our mayor, MLA and MP, and ribbon cutting.
The barbershop quartet decided to sing a song that was from Peter to Lorraine. I knew I should have stayed hidden in the boardroom!
Judy Gordon spoke first - with a hint at us to continue building structures that are a contribution to our town both in a business sense and visually. We'll wait a few years I think!
Then our MLA Ray Prins spoke and he thanked us for all our hard work in doing this project and creating a historically beautiful place for him to have his office in.
Last, our MP Blaine Calkins spoke for a few minutes about the importance the railroad played in the building of this town.
These three government representatives then cut the ribbon along with Mr Sid Long. Mr. Long was the "CPR Freight Manager" who was in charge of closing down the freight portion of the old station and making sure the last loose ends were tied up before the service stopped altogether. He spent the rest of the afternoon visting with people in the board room and telling stories of the railroad days gone by!
Speaking of the board room - it was a very popular spot after for the older folks in town to wander through and chat about the pictures on the wall. Just what we were hoping for!
Oh yes, did I tell you the staff and wife/girlfriend of PJB Design dressed the part for the day?
We enjoyed dressing up so much (most of us) that we went out for supper with Ron and Bev and Grandma Nelson to Red Deer in our "costumes". One way to get service, or least lots of second glances!
During supper we started planning our next great adventure with Ron and Bev. No - not a building! It's party time - not work time!
