OUTLOOK — A healthy crowd turned out on Tuesday evening, April 29 for what many people might say was a monumental event in the town of Outlook, as a special sod turning 小蓝视频 officially kickstarted the construction of the new fire hall facility in the riverside community.
Held at the site of the future fire house along McKenzie Street, guests were treated to a BBQ supper and cold drinks while a number of key people behind the scenes spoke about the importance of the day and the events that took place on the long, winding road that would eventually see everyone arrive at their intended destination - a brand-new facility for the Outlook-Rudy Fire Department that will enable the crew to perform their jobs quicker and more efficiently with the goal of responding to calls much faster than ever before.
First to speak were Gerry Gross and Bree Campbell, co-chairs of the fire hall's fundraising committee, also 小蓝视频 called a 'campaign cabinet'. Serving as the two key names who were helping to spearhead this vision, Gross and Campbell's task was to generate as much interest, as much awareness, and of course, as many dollars as possible to show the public that yes, this dream of a new fire hall in Outlook was indeed going to become a reality one day soon.
Looking behind them at the path taken so far, it was only late last May when the pair sat down with this reporter to discuss the notion of fundraising for such a gargantuan project, and at that point, Gross and Campbell had already raised just under $600,000 in pledges, as well as roughly $200,000 committed for in-kind work.
Now, just under a year later, and with the help of DCG Philanthropic Services out of Saskatoon and the generosity of both the public and key businesses and organizations, shovels are now in the ground and the work has begun, turning the committee's vision into a reality.
Of course, one of those shovels was a ceremonial golden one that fire chief Dalas King held in a photo opp, joined by a host of people representing this project, including the fundraising committee, the Outlook Rudy Fireflies, the RM of Rudy, and the Town of Outlook; John Linsley, Rachel Sillers, Justin Turton, Stephanie Hogan, Gerry Gross, Bree Campbell, Andre Warwaruk, Kent Harrington, Ryan Husband, Dennis Fuglerud, Maureen Weiterman, Kevin Trew, Wendy Ball, and Trent Sim.
"This is a tremendous celebration," said Gerry, taking the podium to address those gathered. "This has been underway for a number of years. Different councils have been talking about it. The need has been apparent, but now it's come to pass with all your support and we're so happy you've joined us and we're happy to have this occasion."
Although the subject of tariffs and their resulting impact have moved the proverbial goal posts on the project as far as final costs are concerned, the consistently-moving and apparently non-stop fundraising aren't worrying anyone associated with the campaign, and they also didn't deter the importance or the focus of this day.
Gross acknowledged the rise in numbers, but said it was also important to acknowledge the road that's been taken to get to this point.
"You as a community and everyone that supported us, we raised $1.2 million in cash and pledges," said Gross. "Please give yourself a hand, because that is huge. We're not done, we still need more equipment, but it's given the Town of Outlook and the RM of Rudy, the courage and the affirmation to decide that they're actually going to start building this building and you'll see the signs that are right here. So, I think it's just amazing. We're thrilled with what's happening."
Touching on the history of this project to arrive at a new fire hall in Outlook, Gross highlighted the early talks and thought processes that some had that inevitably moved people to pull the trigger and get moving on this initiative.
"Well, it all started, I would say, with the RM of Rudy and the Town of Outlook and the councils agreeing that we work better together than apart," he said. "That has been wonderful, and I very much credit Maureen Weiterman, the mayor of Outlook at that time, and Dennis Fuglerud of the RM at the time that said we can do more together. And that's what they did."
Forming a team consisting of the two councils called the Joint Protective Services Committee, the group agreed to a 50/50 split down the middle; the land, the subdivision, the building, and the operation, with the intention of telling not only the public, but prospective donors that the Town and the RM were once again a cohesive unit after enduring a relationship in the past that was less than positive at times.
"No matter what happens in the future, that committee said, 'We're in this together', and I thought that was huge," said Gerry.
Touching on the hugely successful fundraising that's been done to this point, Gross thanked and commended individuals, businesses and community organizations who've helped add to the success of the project, including some who have turned into multiple givers and noted the legacy and memorial gifts that have also come forward.
Adding to what Gerry said was co-chair Campbell, who was blown away by the generosity and the giving nature that many have shown in the time since fundraising began for the new fire hall.
"I know that over the course of the last year, when we've been sitting at people's kitchen tables and hearing their story about how they had a baler catch on fire on a windy day and it could have taken their yard, but that fire department was there and saved everything they've ever worked for, that hits you," said Bree. "And I think another one that really stood out in my mind was when Western Sales said, 'Oh, we have a check for you. You want to come over this afternoon?' And he's like, 'Oh, I'm just going to be a couple minutes'. And he got all his staff that were on the fire department to come out with words of support and then a $250,000 check to back that up."
The reality of living in a rural area where firefighters have normal day jobs is something that isn't lost on anyone, and Campbell says the drive that the Outlook crew has in them to get out and fight fires at the drop of a hat is incredible.
"If you think of the investment that that business has in letting their staff just leave at a moment's notice, often at the same time that they're super busy, it's just incredible," said Bree. "So this has been a really personally rewarding experience 小蓝视频 on this cabinet and getting to know Gerry and becoming good friends and all the people that we've sat and talked to. We just appreciate everything, from the $100 check all the way to the quarter million dollars. It's just been incredible."
Outlook mayor Ryan Husband said what people were witnessing was the end product of bringing two groups together with a common goal for the betterment of their community area.
"Tonight's a big night, not just because we're starting the new fire hall, but because it shows what can happen when a community and not just the town and the RM are working together," he said. "I appreciate the RM of Rudy council for 小蓝视频 willing to become joint partners in our Joint Protective Services Committee. But tonight, we're here because of a lot of hard work by a lot of people. Bree and Gerry, you two have been tireless in talking to many of us, convincing us why this project matters. The campaign cabinet, the technical committee, they're the engine behind this project and keeping the things in the background moving forward. The Fireflies have done a lot as wives and spouses of the firefighters, supporting us in that role, but also in terms of fundraising, getting out to all the events and doing that work. And the same with a lot of our community contractors, who aren't just volunteering their time and efforts to build the fire hall in some aspects, but who have also reached out to their suppliers and said, 'Hey, we're doing this community initiative. It's important to us. Would you guys be willing to donate some supplies to us?' And so we certainly appreciate that."
Speaking from a firefighter's perspective, Husband highlighted how monumental and how needed this moment was to see a new hall finally come to fruition.
"There's still work ahead, but we can already see what's possible when we all get behind something and work together," he said. "Lastly, I'd like to just mention as a firefighter how important it is that we have this new hall. Right now, when a call comes in, we all run over to the other hall, but if that call requires the ladder truck, which is in here or the boat, which is back there, then somebody has got to run, although probably not run and get a ride over here to pick up one of those vehicles and take it down. The problem with that is that it costs us time, and if you or I or anyone is in the unfortunate situation where time matters, I would think that it would be comforting to know that everything is in one place, that the crew and the firefighters are ready to go, and that they'll be there as soon as possible to help you in your time of need. And that's what this is all about; helping people in need, protecting our community, and then showing what can happen when we all work together. I'm proud of what we've accomplished already, and I'm even more excited for the day when we're all back here, cutting the ribbon and opening the doors for good."
With that, a raucous chorus of cheers rang out over the riverside community as photos were snapped to mark the sod turning of the new hall, and people visited with one another and discussed the project at length as they looked out over the site.
Now, with the formalities out of the way, the work truly begins, and if motorists should find themselves traveling the north end of McKenzie Street in town, a quick look out their windows will show them a community's dream becoming reality.
The new fire hall in Outlook is slated to open this coming fall.
