Weddings, anniversaries, funerals, pancake breakfasts, craft sales, and concerts.
Have another event in mind? The Laurier Community Centre could be the perfect spot to host it. Charlene Saquet is the vice president of the Community Centre.
"The Laurier Community Centre is the only place in town that can hold 300 people," said Saquet. "So we feel it's a really important building to keep going in the community."
One event a month is hosted at the facility, with the summer months being the busiest. About a year ago, Saquet and the board looked at replacing the metal siding and adding exterior styrofoam insulation. That comes in at $56,000.
Thanks to Sunrise Credit Union, that dream is closer to becoming a reality. Through the Building Community Grant program, Sunrise has awarded the Laurier Community Centre with $15,000. The upgrades will help extend the lifespan of the well-used, volunteer-run facility.
For many who have used the facility, it's often referred to as the heartbeat of Laurier.
Saquet says she's grateful to have received the grant.
"It feels great. If you've ever driven past the community centre, you can see the paint on the siding is peeling," added Saquet. "I think it's going to give it a really nice facelift. With the new insulation, that should help with our energy costs."
While they haven't fully raised all the money needed to make the upgrades happen, Saquet says they're getting close. They're also hoping to do a bathroom renovation. They hope to make the bathroom wheelchair accessible.
New kitchen cabinets are another upgrade they hope to add in the future.
If you're interested in hosting an event at the Community Centre, email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..
Charlene also gives a huge tip of the cap to those who have volunteered in the past.
"Yes, thank you to everyone. Also, thank you for all of the community support," she ended. "We started taking donations last year and are continuing to do so to put towards any renovations. We want to thank everyone who has donated so far."
They've already raised more than $20,000, with the goal being $50,000.
Other Recipients:
Treherne Minor Athletics will receive $10,000 under the Arts, Culture, & Sports category to replace the aging rink boards at its facility.
Under the Individual and Community Wellness category, the Minnedosa Regional Health Foundation has been awarded $20,000 toward the purchase of new and additional surgical equipment to maximize the number of operations that visiting specialists can perform per day.
The Cypress River Fire Department has been awarded $3,500 to purchase a new set of turnout gear. Consisting of a jacket and pants, turnout gear serves as a firefighter’s first line of defense in emergency response situations.
Under the Facilities Construction or Improvement Capital Grant category, Hartney Sprouts Daycare will receive $5,000 towards the installation of a play structure at their new centre. This centre will add 63 daycare spots for the community
Thank You, Sunrise Credit Union:
Since launching the Building Communities Grant program in 2023, Sunrise has supported 26 community projects. That adds up to $261,598.68 in funding
