Robin Hood praises community support

Other communities jealous of Park’s brand new facility

Posted By Catherine Griwkowsky News Staff

Updated 21 days ago

MLA Iris Evans gives Robin Hood Association CEO Ed Riediger a hug.

The Robin Hood Association held a gala on Thursday to thank donors for raising $1.6 million for a new youth and children community centre in Sherwood Park.

Ed Riediger, CEO of the Robin Hood Association, praised supporters for making the dream of a children's centre a reality.

"Bringing a dream to reality takes at least three major important components," he said. "First of all, you need a certain amount of expertise. You also need a certain amount of hard labour and hard work and finally you need resources."

The capital campaign launched in November 2008. Riediger said at that time the building was showing its 40 years. With the goal of having a safe, economical, child-friendly and aesthetically pleasing building, the association set out to raise funds for the new centre.

Children with the Robin Hood Association, along with the Boys and Girls Club of Strathcona County and the Strathcona Family and Community Services Parent Link program use the facility.

Darrel Meyer, vice-president of the RHA board of directors, said based on how the community treats the less fortunate, we have a great community.

Meyer said plans for the project started when the economy was in a good position, but things turned downward.

"We slowed down a little bit, but you know what? We prevailed," he said.

Meyer thanked all the donors and supporters of the new centre.

Laurie Massie, director of children's services, said it was persistance that got the children's centre going.

Massie said the Robin Hood Association's children services alone provides service to about 400 families, but the centre will now provide services to 5,000 families.

"On any given day, you'll walk in here and see children running down the hallways, or going to play groups, or see kids playing floor hockey in the gym," she said. "It doesn't really matter what they're doing, they're having fun and they're in a safe environment."

The new centre includes a kitchen, a sensory room, a climbing wall and other amenities.

Mayor Cathy Olesen said she was proud the organization was able to overcome any economic challenges to make the centre a reality.

"We know it's so important," she said. "In the end, it is our children and youth who have just come out way ahead."

Sherwood Park MLA and Alberta Minister of Finance and Enterprise Iris Evans said there is no way the community can rest now, with the need to protect the most vulnerable in society.

The MLA said Olesen called her and asked her what will happen to special programs with budget cuts.

Evans called the community a circle of love.

"I got to carry the banner, but the real slugging was done by people in this community," she said.

Evans pointed out the primary colours in the gym, gauged to bring out the right responses of the children.

"We've got to help Albertans understand that this is the kind of thing that can happen and should happen in every community," she said.

"It's not going to be easy, but it's an important issue, and without that, we're losing a whole lot of people in society that shouldn't be lost."

Lindsay Blackett, Minister of Culture and Community Spirit and MLA for Calgary-North West, said 11 months ago the building looked quite different.

"There was hope and there was a dream and there is commitment," he said.

"I don't have a facility like this is in my community. I really wish we did. I'm very, very proud as an Albertan that there are people, even through tough economic times, to say let's get 'r done."

catherine@sherwoodparknews.com