The new youth centre has a number of amenities to keep local children busy. (Facebook/Cook-Searson Tammy Jim)

By Derek Cornet

ribbon cutting

Grandmother’s Bay celebrates opening of new youth centre, subdivision

Jan 20, 2023 | 4:58 PM

It was an exciting day in Grandmother`s Bay as residents and leadership came together to celebrate the opening of the Sophie McLeod Memorial Community Youth Drop-In Centre.

“Sophie worked for the community for many, many years,” said Lac La Ronge Indian Band (LLRIB) Coun. Gerald McKenzie.

“She was a community health representative for over 20 years and she worked for LLRIB Family and Child Services. She passed away last year. She also took in some kids in her home. She never refused a child to come and stay at her place. Her house was always full of children and she raised a big family. All of her kids have since graduated and made a life for themselves. It was only fitting to name the youth drop-in centre after her.”

The single-storey building is approximately 900 square feet and the total cost of the project was about $300,000. Construction of the facility began in May 2022.

The centre includes a full kitchen, table and chairs, couches, a flat-screen TV, a computer and games systems, as well as board games and a karaoke machine. McKenzie noted the band is also looking to purchase a small pool table.

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He explained an employee has already been hired to develop programming, supervise the kids and take care of the building itself. Hours have yet to be set, but the centre will likely be open after school and in the evenings.

McKenzie mentioned the centre will be open to more than just youth, as parents will also be invited to attend and play games with their children.

A ribbon cutting was also held for the opening of a new subdivision. (submitted photo/Gerald McKenzie)

“It was a relief because we didn`t have anything in the community,” McKenzie said of the grand opening. “We don`t have a gym, we don`t have any playrooms. Just at the school. The school has basically been the hub of the community. They have a little mini gym there where they play volleyball. We do have an outdoor rink, but we can`t flood it right now due to the warm weather.”

The celebration on Friday was also for the opening of the new Kimosoom Street subdivision. It consists of 33 lots and the band is in the process of building three homes. In the coming years, McKenzie said more development will occur such as new teacherages and houses for LLRIB Child and Family Services.

Grandmother’s Bay has a current population of approximately 400 people.

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derek.cornet@pattisonmedia.com

Twitter: @saskjourno