Volume 55 Number 26
Friday, July 3, 2015
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Community dream becomes reality Marc Jackson
My Take on Snow Lake mjaxon@gillamnet.com A shared dream that took close to 10 years of hard work, sleepless nights and dogged determination culminated last Saturday afternoon when Golden Vista opened the doors of their new Snow Lake block for all to behold. It was an impressive sight. Underground parking, a large elevator, high-end appliances, art-infused hallways and a spacious and well-appointed common room … it was all here, and quite obvious that attention to detail had not been squandered over expense. This block was built properly, but as attendees would hear later, it came at a cost. The weather was warm and the day sunny when Golden Vista president Dave Koop took to the microphone outside the main entrance of the Golden Vista Block. After a bit of self-deprecating humour over the height of the podium, he became serious. Noting what a great honour it was to welcome everyone to their grand opening, he took time to specially welcome Mayor Kim Stephen and members from council, Bridgeroad Developments’ Harry Funk, and Hudbay’s Manitoba Division vicepresident Rob Winton, before calling on Greg Foord to say a short opening prayer. Once Foord concluded, Koop again walked to the mic. “It’s only been a dream that this building would be up and running and it seemed to be a lifetime away,” said Koop. “This is a
Nickel Belt News photo by Marc Jackson The ribbon being cut on the Golden Vista Block. From left to right are Sylvia Zamzow, Garry Zamzow, Rob Winton, Kim Stephen, Laurie Davies, Dave Koop, Ben Foord, Keith Derkson, Harry Funk and Donalda Derkson. journey that started six years ago (for him), in 2009 … and this is something that has become a lot more symbolic than a senior’s complex.” He stated that there was no other complex like the Golden Vista Block in Northern Manitoba and with tongue in cheek, wondered aloud if there was some award out there that would honour the length of time it took them to finish the structure. Koop then went back to the roots of the vision to see the block built, pegging a 2005 conversation between then-mayor Garry Zamzow and Bridgeroad’s Harry Funk, with the late Steve Davis coming onboard shortly thereafter. “This started out to be a straightforward investment into a community that was in dire straits in regard to housing,” Koop said. “I have to tell you that we weren’t prepared for the hellish journey we would have to take; up and down and through incredible hurdles, which saw us ‘dead in the water’ more than a few times.” Koop said it was dismal for investors to see their investment fade in the sun as construction on the build-
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ing sat idle for the past two years. Many of them wondered if they should just fold their cards and walk away. It took a toll on the health of more than a few of them. From their own perilous journey, the group noted a more innovative tact had to be taken in order to succeed with an investment of this nature in the North and maintaining relationships and partnerships was seen as instrumental in moving it forward. Koop thanked the original group of senior residents for putting down their money and seeing the project through. He also thanked the Town of Snow Lake for the compassion and understanding that they showed from the start. There was also their construction partner Bridgeroad who helped form the deal to finance the block and carried home its construction. As well, there were Koop’s fellow investors, who persevered along with him; he named them individually. Koop saved the biggest thanks of all for last. “Let it be known that there would be no building sitting here without the much needed help from
Hudbay,” said Koop with emotion in his voice. He explained how they came on board with the project immediately, first investing in two suites in the block and eventually, when promises from various financial institutions (17 by Koop’s count) rang hollow, stepping up to the plate to help insure the group’s dream reached fruition. He heaped praise on former Manitoba Division vice-president Brad Lantz, CEO David Garofalo, and current Manitoba Division vice-president Winton, before calling Winton to the podium. With gracious modesty Winton thanked Koop and his fellow investors. “This day is certainly not about Hudbay,” he said. “This day is about the Town of Snow Lake, it’s about your investors at Golden Vista and Bridgeroad, it’s about the senior population, and again a legacy for the town.” He complimented the design and craft of the building and said that there looked to be some clouds in Flin Flon in respect to how things were going, but that Snow Lake looked to be a “sunny”
place. “Certainly the future of the Manitoba Business Unit rests in the Town of Snow Lake with Lalor, our New Britannia purchase, as well as the Stall Mill,” Winton said. “ … and this is certainly a beautiful building and it will last a lifetime.” Back at the mic, Koop called upon Mayor Kim Stephen to say a few words. Echoing Winton’s thanks and congratulations, Stephen stated that the project was a long time in coming. “But look where we are today, standing in front of something that nobody else in the north has. Your hard work and efforts did not go unnoticed Dave … and this is a state of art residence that these people will live in,” said Stephen. “What an historic day this is for all of us. We hope this block fills up fast and brings the demand to build another one … and what place better than Snow Lake?” To conclude the ceremony, Koop called forward Bridgeroad’s Harry Funk to make a presentation. Funk in turn called forward Laurie Davies stating that he wanted to present her with
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something that would be mounted inside the building. In an emotional moment for both, Funk read the plaque. It stated, “We, the investors at the Golden Vista at Snow Lake Manitoba would like to honour the memory of our friend and colleague Steve Davies, who was instrumental in launching this dream; born Thursday November 7th, 1963; passed Sunday, October 24th, 2010.” After commenting on Davies’ passion and enthusiasm for the project, Funk sang a song – “Bless this house.” An exceptional vocalist, this was the first time he had attempted the feat publicly in several years and since having undergone lung surgery 17 weeks previous. He performed marvellously. With that, investors, the mayor, Winton, Funk, Koop, and resident 95-year-old resident Ben Foord cut the ribbon opening the building and, in doing so, were greeted with thunderous applause. Inside at a reception in the common room, a beautifully decorated Norma Johnson cake, coffee and juice was served to the close to 60 people in attendance.
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