A place for all ages, all seasons, and all reasons

On September 6th, 2022, Mayor Debbie Fiebelkorn and the Council of the R.M. of St. Clements along with provincial and federal dignitaries, held the official opening and ribbon cutting of The South St. Clements Activity Center Park, located at 88 Donald Road, Narol.

As with any project of this magnitude, it has come about thanks to generous financial support from various sectors, and countless hours of work by volunteers, elected officials, and employees of the RM.

This complex is an outstanding addition to an area where the population growth has not been matched in recent years by a growth in recreational facilities.

I had not been aware, (and I doubt I am alone), that the Rural Municipality of St. Clements is one of the fastest growing municipalities in Manitoba, with some 12,000 residents, nearly double what there were ten years ago. One half of the population of the RM is in the south portion, so the need for facilities there is obvious.

Concerned community volunteers started laying the groundwork back in 1999. Members of Narol Golden-Age Club, Narol-Gonor Community Club, and Narol Children’s Centre which used to share space in the former Donald School on Henderson Highway established South St. Clements Activity Centre Inc., with the goal of creating a community meeting place. And what a community meeting place it will be when completed!

The first phase of the project boasts the following features: a modern attractive playground, a beautifully landscaped surrounding area that includes a retention pond, thirteen different species of trees, native grasses, a fitness circuit around the pond, beautiful walking trail, numerous park benches, and two truly unique features –The Wetland and The Peace Pole.

The Wetland, featuring the retention pond, diverts stormwater from Gunn’s Creek and reduces drainage issues north of the site. It not only improves the ecosystem but provides a recreational resource for ice skating, tobogganing, kayaking, canoeing, and peddle boating

The Peace Pole, donated by the Rotary Club of Selkirk, sends out the message “May Peace Prevail on Earth,” written in the twelve different languages representative of the diverse population of the RM: Chinese, Cree, English, French, German, Hindi, Icelandic, Ojibway, Polish, Punjabi, Tagalog, and Ukrainian.

The next phase of the project is the activity centre. Since the funding is now in place for this phase, it will be added soon. The building will feature four major components:

A) A large multipurpose room suitable for socials, activities like volleyball and pickleball, and community functions such as craft sales.

B) A multipurpose room designed for the possibility of twenty childcare spaces, meetings and small gatherings, arts and craft classes, and activities such as chess or card games.

C) A community living room for senior and youth drop-in usage, meetings and small gatherings arts and crafts classes, and table games.

D) A kitchen suitable for catering social gatherings, conducting cooking classes, as well as a lounge/canteen.

Many of these activities were formerly carried on in the old Donald School and have been either difficult or impossible to continue after it became unsafe and no longer a viable facility.

The whole project would not have been possible without over $6 million funding from both the federal and provincial governments through the Investing in Canada Infrastructure Program, and the generous donation of the Selkirk Rotary Club of $20,000 that was put toward the purchase of many of the (ultimate total 277) trees planted on the site, specifically the Manitoba Maples, as well as the previously-mentioned Peace Pole. Also, the RM of St Clements received contributions over the years from The Selkirk and District Community Foundation, Tree Canada, and Interlake Tourism Association.

Mayor Debbie Fiebelkorn says the project would not have been possible without the contribution of the volunteers who have worked on the project in the last 20-plus years: “Volunteers are the heart of the community, and we appreciate the individuals that have currently been behind this project.”

The importance of this project was accurately described by The Federal Minister for Prairies Canada, the Honourable Dan Vandal, when he said “Recreational infrastructure is at the heart of small towns and communities across Canada, It’s where people learn to skate, host hockey tournaments, come together to stay active, and create life-long memories with family and friends.”

The stated vision of the RM of St. Clements for this project was to create a community hub designed to enhance recreation and leisure opportunities for all age groups and foster healthy, active lifestyles. The new development will become a meeting place where the community comes together.

This vision has been realized, The South St. Clements Activity Centre and Park, when completed, will truly be “A place for all ages, all seasons, and all reasons”

As we in Red River North Tourism always like to point out: