On Saturday, June 16th, 2007, a Sod Turning Ceremony was held on the Grandview Heights site, to officially celebrate the work that is starting on the land. The day was perfect and the people came. Many were excited by our project, and appreciated the efforts of the hard working Co-op members, who volunteer their time and energy to create this space where we can live together and play together.
Everyone who spoke, was enthusiastic about what Grandview Heights stands for: a place of power and strength, where we, as Seniors, can come together as friends, forming a community of support, to enjoy our later years. Who knows, Castlegar may become a mecca for Seniors!!
Moe Zibin and The Balladeers (Lawrence Halisheff, Moe, and Dan Shlakoff) played while everyone assembled.
David Hogg piped in dignitaries, guests, and members on his bagpipes.
Gordon Turner, from Selkirk College, opened the ceremony, and Irene Evanoff, KCSHC President made some opening remarks:
- acknowledging the Directors and all committee members (Building, Care, Grants, Promotions, Registration, Rules, and Sod-turning committees.)
- announcing the formation of the new Landscape Committee
- giving very special thanks to David Hogg and to Moe Zibin & The Balladeers!
KCSHC Member Nora Jukes gave an Opening Blessing, and KCSHC Member Ann Chursinoff read her Poem for Grandview Heights
Our Master of Ceremonies, Gordon Turner, introduced our guest speakers.
Elmer W. Verigin,
Project Manager
Katrine Conroy,
MLA
Lawrence Chernoff
Mayor of Castlegar
Peter Perepolkin, Castlegar
Chamber of Commerce,
gave words of humour and
encouragement.
Dan Sahlstrom, Woods,
Sahlstrom & Associates
Engineering, who knows our
site intimately.
Michael Cassidy, and his father,
Bruce Cassidy, President of
Marwest Industries, These
two and their fearless crew
are putting in the Infrastructure.
Bob & Betty Sahlstrom, Grandview Heights neighbours and
descendants of the original settlers of the Grandview site,
spoke on the history of "Sahlstrom Mountain".
BettyAnn Mullen, KCSHC member,
explained what the project has
meant for Jim and herself.
They chose Duplex 16
just last Saturday, June 9th.
We all sang the Grandview Heights Song, accompanied by Moe Zibin & the Balladeers.
Elmer Verigin and special guests Mayor Lawrence Chernoff, Katrine Conroy, and Bruce Cassidy, gathered and broke ground for the official Sod Turning Ceremony.
Irene Evanoff, KCSHC President, made some closing remarks, Gordon Turner, Master of Ceremonies, officially closed the ceremony, and refreshments were served.
Dale West attended the Ceremony and wrote an article about us in the Castlegar Current. Thanks, Dale!
For more photos of the event, please see Nora's pictures in the gallery, and Ed's photo page.
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