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New centre creating opportunities for tri-community area

Sep 19, 2017 | 5:00 PM

Residents of La Ronge and the Tri-Community area will soon be able to putt their way to fun.

Construction is underway on a brand new miniature golf course at the Jonas Roberts Memorial Community Centre. According to the Lac La Ronge Indian Band director of sports and recreation Kevin Roberts, the construction could be wrapped up in a month.

“[The contractor] estimated a one month construction time, and they started last week,” Roberts said. “We’ll be lucky if we even get two weeks out of it [this year], but the point is that it will be there at least for next season.”

Depending on when the snow falls, Roberts said he hopes residents can get a bit of use and build some excitement about the mini golf course this year. He said he thinks residents will brave the cold to putt a few rounds before the seasons change.

Roberts said funding for the course came from a grant which was obtained last year. Once the details of the contracts and grant funds were finalized, it was just a little too late to pour cement.

Construction was delayed earlier this year due to unforeseen circumstances – the original contractor has since subcontracted to a local source, and now the race is on to beat the snow and cold of winter.

Roberts said the mini golf course is a new option for youth in the tri-community area of La Ronge, the Lac La Ronge Indian Band, and Air Ronge. He said the goal is to create sporting opportunities for everyone.

“Facility development is all about giving youth that opportunity to participate in various sports and activities,” Roberts said. “Not everybody is a hockey player, not everyone plays volleyball so we try and find things that are new for the community for them to participate in.”

Roberts said staff at the community centre work to avoid duplications in activities that are already offered in La Ronge to find unique opportunities for youth.

The new mini golf course is a new addition to the ever changing look of the Jonas Roberts Memorial Community Centre.

“It’s part of our overall vision of our sports facility here, we have a community hall attached to a rink with a fitness centre with top of the line equipment here,” Roberts said. “Just three weeks ago we installed a rubberized track in our facility and the next part is our mini golf [course].”

Roberts said the gymnasium at the community centre was constructed in 2001 when the population of the three communities was smaller. Due to the frequency of events and increases in average attendance, the gym is slated for upgrades in the near future.

 The sports director said there are also talks in the works to develop an outdoor bike park in 2018.

“We have to work with our chief and council to designate certain lands for sports and recreation,” Roberts said. “We’d like to develop an outdoor bike park with some lighting and a fenced area, just adding another option for kids to be a part of.”

 

Bryan.Eneas@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: @BryanEneas