The Saddle Lake Boys and Girls Club has been scrambling to find a temporary home since a massive water main break shut down its program just after the Christmas break. Sometime on Jan.
The Saddle Lake Boys and Girls Club has been scrambling to find a temporary home since a massive water main break shut down its program just after the Christmas break.
Sometime on Jan. 5, the heating system in the Saddle Lake Youth Centre failed, which resulted in lines freezing up and water flooding a huge portion of the building. A smaller water main break in late November had preceded the Jan. 5 break, said Pamela Robertson, a coordinator for the Saddle Lake Boys and Girls Club.
“It was just devastating,&” says Robertson, as she described the damage that occurred. Since the break happened, insurance representatives have been on scene and work is being done at the building. But, it's already clear that much fundraising will have to be done by the community in order to get the facility up and running.
The amount of funds needed is still unknown, since that will depend on how much the building's insurance covers and the root cause of the heating system's failure.
According to Natalie Cardinal, executive director with the Boys and Girls Club, the cost of damages so far is estimated at about $100,000. Cardinal was one of the first staff members on scene when the water break was discovered late in the evening.
She says there were about 17 volunteers who showed up that night to help squeegee water and begin cleanup efforts. Since the flood, Cardinal says Saddle Lake band council has been helpful in offering office space in its complex to the Boys and Girls Club and Restorative Justice program, which along with other community groups, was also situated in the Youth Centre.
“It didn't really click how bad it was,&” says Robertson, when she describes her reaction to hearing about the massive break.
All the programming at the Boys and Girls Club has been affected by the incident. Items that weren't destroyed are being stored in the Youth Centre's gym, one of the few areas not damaged by water. Areas such as the kitchen, offices, and the circle room, aren't useable, and the foyer area is filled with desks, cabinets and other damaged items.
Many other local groups were regularly using the building for gatherings and events. For example the Saddle Lake Cadets are also now without a place to call home and the outreach school has had to relocate to the high school, which hasn't been ideal, says Cardinal.
Robertson admits that it was hard to explain to parents why the after-school program isn't being offered, and two weeks after the water break happened, community members are still stopping by and calling the centre in an attempt to use its many services.
“We kept getting phone calls,&” says Robertson, adding, staff was initially “really hopeful&” that the situation could be fixed in a couple weeks. Now, it looks as though the building won't be ready for at least a few months.
Lillian Kakeesim cares for four of her granddaughters and the family used the after-school program at the Youth Centre often.
Not only was the drop-in program a safe place to send the elementary-aged children after school, while their grandmother was still at work, but it was also a place where the children could learn and make new friends.
“They were always looking forward to coming,&” says Kakeesim, adding with a light laugh, “They looked forward to the meals.&” The family has had to make some quick adjustments, and Kakeesim says there aren't many other options available in the community for after-school care.
The program took in anywhere from 20 to 60 children between the ages of five and 15 each day, according to Robertson. She says it was the only “daily&” program offered in Saddle Lake for after-school care.
Thanks to the kitchen space at the Youth Centre, children also received a good meal before heading home at the end of the day.
So far, the Boys and Girls Club has decided it will retain its staff while work is done to get back into the Youth Centre. Office staff will be busy organizing fundraising initiatives, while continuing the search for a temporary location to offer its after-school program.
Cardinal and Robertson both agree they may have to come up with some creative ways to keep the programs running, and are considering the possibility of reorganizing the Youth Centre's gymnasium to work as storage and a place to host the drop-in program.
The club's four after-school care staff members will begin working again as soon as a temporary location is found, and if that takes longer than anticipated, then those staff will also help coordinate fundraisers and help out where they can, said Robertson.
The Torch Club, a leadership program, is expected to keep running, but other programs like the exercise group and cooking class, will not run until the centre is back in order.
Plans to host a jamboree or benefit dance are in the early stages, and organizers are looking for people who would like to donate to their fundraising efforts.
The Saddle Lake Youth Centre held its official grand opening on June 27, 2008, and at the time was described as a $2.2 million project. To get involved with fundraising initiatives or to make a donation, contact the club's coordinator at [email protected], or call (780) 726-4170.
“They're telling me not to worry,&” says Cardinal, as she expresses her concern over the building's current state, adding, it's hard not to feel guilty for what happened, even though no one is to blame.
