Project News
October 1, 2009
Sod Turning for East Beaches Community Central by Laura Tutlies
Today there is just a pile of wood and huge sign on a vacant lot. On Saturday, October 3rd there will be local dignitaries, political ministers, hot dogs and much hoopla on the main boulevard of Grand Marais. All of the East Beaches community is invited.
The event is the “sod turning ceremony” the Community Central building which is the flagship of the Destination Grand Marais project and Phase I of the much anticipated East Beaches Regional Community Complex.
Community Central is designed along the lines of a railway station and will begin its existence as a welcome centre for visitors to East Beaches. As the project progresses the structure will morph into the hub of the Regional Complex. Following close upon the heels of Phase I will be additional phases that include a Wellness Centre, a Recreation Hall, state of the art Banquet Facilities, plus a Curling Rink, Skating Rink with changing rooms and adjacent meeting rooms and offices.
The completed Complex is expected to take at least two years of hard work by the community sponsors, advisors and fund raisers who will be complemented by the expertise of architects and builders. Each phase of the development will mushroom off from Community Central.
Current sponsors of this huge project are the R.M.s of St. Clements and Alexander along with the Grand Beach & Area Development Corporation Inc., the East Beaches Recreation and Wellness Coalition Inc., the Grand Marais & District Senior Citizens Inc. and the Grand Marais Recreational Association Inc.. As the project grows it is expected that sponsorship will also grow and that the East Beaches area will have a gathering place that not only enhances the wellness of the community but by virtue of its location will showcase all that is spectacular about this region.