Arabelle Gola's friends gather near the newly named Arabelle Road. (Nigel Maxwell/ paNOW Staff)

By Nigel Maxwell

Tragic events

‘It happened because a lot of people cared’: Prince Albert teen memorialized with road re-naming

Sep 8, 2024 | 8:00 AM

Roughly five minutes east of Prince Albert, a pair of new road signs on opposite sides of Highway 302, will forever mark the legacy of a young girl who touched the heart of the community.

Arabelle Gola who loved volleyball and Halloween had a dream of moving to New York after finishing high school, passed away suddenly at the age of 16 in August of 2023 due to complications from COVID.

On Friday, Arabelle’s friends and family gathered at her grandparents farm to celebrate the new signs and the newly named Arabelle Road that connects the property to the highway. Emily Chenier was one of Arabelle’s best friends.

“I think it’s a great way to honor her memory and it’s really touching,” she said, while wiping away tears.

Chenier was then asked what she thought her friend might say about the tribute.

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“I think she’d be really proud of how we are celebrating her life and keeping all her memories alive with us and having something physical to remember her by,” she said.

Following Arabelle’s passing, her grandparents Chuck and Val had approached the Rural Municipality (RM) of Prince Albert with the idea of naming the short road in honour of their granddaughter. Reeve Eric Schmalz acknowledged this sort of practice is typically reserved for people who have made a historical contribution to the RM.

“But this was pretty special for us because Arabelle was part of our administrative team and she worked with us for a summer,” he said.

With cooperation from the Ministry of Highways, the new signs were in place two weeks before the graduation ceremony at Carlton Comprehensive High School where Arabelle attended. In attendance for Friday’s gathering, Schmalz acknowledged it was pretty special.

“We’ve got a group gathered here today that while still mourning the loss of a friend and family member are able to honour that memory by having a road named after her and a touchstone to come back and see.”

Arabelle Gola. (Facebook)

Arabelle’s celebration of life was held at the Art Hauser Centre. (Submitted/ Michelle Gola)

Schmalz’s sentiment was shared by Arabelle’s grandmother Val who also noted how special it is when the girls come to visit and in many respects have treated the farm as a second home.

“Arabelle road will always be a place where they will know where to find us and always come and visit,” she said.

Leading up to graduation, Arabelle’s friends made sure she was recognized and a scholarship was also created at the school. To show his appreciation, Arabelle’s grandfather Chuck gifted each of the girls with a sign of their own. He also shared with told paNOW how much he appreciates all the support his family has received from the community, the RM, and the Ministry of Highways.

“It happened because a lot of people cared,” he said.

Chuck shares a hug with Arabelle’s friends. (Nigel Maxwell/ paNOW Staff)

Arabelle’s friends hold up their personal signs. (Nigel Maxwell/ paNOW Staff)

nigel.maxwell@pattisonmedia.com

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