TISDALE — “Our new special care project is a tribute to the long hours of of and hard work that has planning and by a number of very dedicated people; people dedicated to serving their community and surrounding area.”
With these words, the Hon. Neal Hardy, representing Hon. Jack Klein, Minister of Saskatchewan Housing, commended the hard work of those who made the Newmarket Manor dream come true during the grand opening ceremonies June 24, [1988].
Master of Ceremonies and chair of the project’s board of directors, explained the work, the sponsorship and the cost of the facility. He told those who filled the lobby of the beautiful new facility:
“This project came about as a result of the efforts of many people in this area who recognized the need for this type of facility.”
Sponsoring bodies include: Canada Mortgage and Housing, Saskatchewan Housing Corporation, the Rural Municipalities of Tisdale, Star City, Bjorkdale, Connaught, and Barrier Valley; the villages of Bjorkdale and Ridgedale, and the Town of Tisdale.
Special guests were: M.P. Jack Scowen, M.L.A. Hon. Neal Hardy, Deputy Mayor Jack Ives, Father Lang (representing the ministerial association), Larry Evans of Saskatchewan Housing Corporation, Al Nauss of Canada Mortgage and Housing, Gordon Arnott representing Arnott, Kelley, O’Connor and Associates Ltd., architects of the project, and the senior and resident representative, Mrs. Nina Miles.
The general contractor for Newmarket Manor was the Humboldt Lumber Mart.
The total cost of the manor was $2,866,943 [around $5.4 million in 2018 dollars]. $2,436,000 is mortgaged and will be repaid by the province in operating grants. In reference to the grants, a telegram from Hon. Stewart McGinnes, Minister of Canada Mortgage and Housing read by Hon. Jack Scowen, said “The federal government, on behalf of the people of Canada, has assured a loan of $2,436,900 that will be provided in estimated annual subsidies of $145,000 a year for the next 35 years to keep the occupancy costs reasonable.”
Vic Hill reported that the local group equity totalled $430,041 plus furniture, draperies, and equipment with a total value exceeding $6,000; donations of approximately $160,000 and volunteer labour. In addition to the donations, a cheque for $5,000 was accepted by Mr. Hill from Gordon Arnott of the architectural firm.
Jack Ives, representing the Town of Tisdale in his capacity of Deputy Mayor, told the crowd, “I'm sure we can be forgiven some pride in being a part of an organization and a community that thinks enough of its senior citizens to provide an accommodation such as this.”
Those who worked so hard to make Newmarket Manor a reality can be proud of their achievement.
