The Battlefords Trade and Education Centre continueS to move slowly but surely forward in their plans for a new facility.
The organization, dedicated to providing programs and services for the intellectually disabled in the Battlefords, held their annual meeting Thursday, and they were able to report progress towards that goal through some of the fundraising activities over the past year.
BTEC board president Julian Stelmaschuk reported that BTEC has almost met all of the requirements of the Saskatchewan Housing Corporation, and is currently in the process of meeting with financial institutions.
He said directors on the board are dedicated to getting the new facility built and said, "if you patiently bear with us this will happen in the near future."
As well, BTEC continued their fundraising efforts towards the new building. A major fundraising event was held in February - a successful and sold-out Mardi Gras party at Alex Dillabough Centre that raised over $32,000. The money was raised through a silent auction and other fundraising activities. Executive Director Don Amos reported this was more than double what was raised at their previous major event.
Last November, they held their third annual art show where they sold paintings, handmade cards and pies, which raised more than $8,000.
There have been other initiatives that have raised money as well, such as a card-making program supplying a local car dealership with monthly greeting cards, with proceeds going to the new building fund. There was also $2,200 in recycling donations from the beginning of the year until now.
The fundraising report also pointed to support from the community including $7,575 in proceeds from the Big Bang Sport Spa and Leisure Auction at Battlefords and District Co-op, as well as proceeds from a talent show by Comp in Action. SGI also offered to hold a barbecue and provide proceeds from that and Bonaventure Lions Club was also mentioned as providing support.
The new BTEC building, estimated around $3.2 million, is to be built on land on the corner of Railway Avenue and 105th Street. It would replace their aging facility at the old armoury building, which is now 101 years old.
The provincial government has pledged $2 million and BTEC have been diligently working towards meeting their own fundraising commitment.
Ronda Johnson of BTEC's fundraising committee says over $460,000 has been raised so far. "We still have about $770,000 to go," she said.
"It's a big climb and we're doing our best to try and get the community involved."
The plan is to once again hold an art sale on Nov. 29 and hold another Mardi Gras party next year as well. Johnson is encouraging the community to lend their support to their fundraising efforts in whatever way they can.
"We're asking people to do what they can, even if it's as little as dropping their bottles off at SARCAN," said Johnson.
