New Brigden Hall Opening
By Tami Cox
The community of New Brigden celebrated the grand opening of their new hall on November 28, coinciding with the annual Winter Wonderland. The event featured local vendors and welcomed appreciative visitors.
The previous hall was destroyed by fire in December 2022. The community responded with determination—organizing fundraisers, applying for grants, and gathering donations—to rebuild the hall, which was completed in June.
A steak supper was served to a sell-out crowd, followed by a short program that included a poem recited by students of New Brigden School. Tami Cox gave a short history of the hall and set up a slideshow that included the community's fundraising efforts, the hall's construction, and recent events held at the hall.
The building committee gathered on stage to officially cut the ribbon and open the hall. Guests enjoyed the music of Cole Patton and the Blackjacks.
A poem by New Brigden School students: back row, from left, Halen Blair, Keller Tye, Jaxon Blair, Connor Blair, Reed Foot, Jaron Jorgenson and Charlie Berg. Front: Harington Berg, Heath Jorgenson, Cabrie Tye and Kendall Blair.
Ribbon Cutting: Building committee, from left, Riley Tye, Chris Jorgenson, Lauren Fuchs, Tami Cox and Ryan Code.
Slushi machine: Halen Blair
Floral arrangement: Shelby Keller and fiancé Shaune Code.
Light up Snowman: Dan Grudecki
Kindersley Packers Gift Certificate: Peter Rafa
Poinsettias: Eva Hagens (her mom Simone in photo), Roy Pratt, Brent Hawkins, Gary Jorgenson, Karen Ann Thornton (not in photo).
Grant Committee: Tami Cox, Lauren Fuchs and Savanna Tye (grant writer); building committee: Chris Jorgenson, Riley Tye and Ryan Code. Each received a canvas photo of the new hall.
Larry Kaumeyer, Deputy Minister of Energy & Minerals (he lives just north of New Brigden). He brought greetings from MLA Nate Horner, Minister of Finance and from Tanya Fir, Minister of Arts, Culture and Status of Women. It was through her department that the building committee secured the CFEP grant of $784,000.
Ladies and gentlemen were kept busy in the kitchen throughhout the event.
A FULL HOUSE: People from the New Brigden community were joined by many from other communities including Oyen, Consort, Acadia Valley, Sibbald, Loverna, Medicine Hat, Hoosier and Marengo.
