A standing room only crowd turned out Friday to celebrate Creighton Lodge's new lease on life.A "new beginnings" ceremony was held at the facility to recognize the transition of ownership from the Sun Country Health Region to a consortium of area RMs led by the RM of Estevan. The group stepped in when Sun Country made it known that operating the lodge was no longer part of their mandate and that if a new owner could not be found it was likely to close.RM of Estevan administrator Greg Hoffort told those in attendance that is when the RM decided to spring into action and do what they could to save the lodge."Fifty years ago, our leaders then saw the need for such a wonderful facility and now 50 years later our leaders find the need to keep it going for the next 50 years," said Hoffort."The RM of Estevan, under the direction of our Reeve, Marie Dukart, set a clear course to ensure that Creighton Lodge remained and would continue well into the future to provide the seniors of our community with the quality housing they had enjoyed in the past. "Creighton Lodge is exactly the type of facility that we need more of and not less of."Hoffort said it was in May when the consortium, which also includes the RMs of Benson, Coalfields, Cymri and Cambria, learned their bid to take over the lodge was successful. From there they set about hiring staff and officially took control on July 1.Although they have held ownership for less than a month, it was clear at the ceremony the takeover is already a success.Mary Grube, who is the head of Creighton Lodge's residents committee, said everyone who calls the lodge home is thrilled that the RMs stepped up to keep it open."We are honoured, humbled and thankful that this waiting has finally ended," said Grube. "Your support means so much to us.Grube also heaped praise on the lodge's new team of staff, led by manager Judy Pratt and operations superintendent Shelly Veroba."I don't know how they do it," she said of Pratt and Veroba. "They are here day and night it seems. They are constantly working. They are always smiling and happy and as a result we are all smiling and happy. We are all working together and so happy for all the staff to be part of our support in here."Pratt said she is also enjoying her time at Creighton Lodge, noting that although she has been on the job for roughly a month, it still doesn't seem like work."We don't even call it a job. My husband keeps saying to me 'is it work yet?' and I keep saying no," she said."We can see so many great things we are going to do in the future for the lodge and we have such great support with the RMs. They are very compassionate people and we are very proud to be working for them."Pratt also used the ceremony as an opportunity to kick off the lodge's renovation program. Working with the title "We're Renovatin' Creighton" the group will be going to the public to solicit support for much of the work that needs to be done at the facility."As we appreciate that the RMs have taken over operation of the building, we are feeling now that it's time for our community, the people of Estevan and area to step up to the plate."Some of the stuff in this building is very old. We need to replace windows. We are looking at renovating the 12 bachelor suites at the back of the building."Pratt said the cost to renovate one unit is roughly $15,000 and if a business or individual would like to foot the cost their name would go on the suite. She added they are willing to accept donations of any size if $15,000 is too onerous.It was also noted that three local businesses have already contributed to the lodge. Spectra Credit Union, through its Community Foundation, donated $20,000 for new walkways and sidewalks outside of the lodge. Glen Peterson Construction donated $5,000 for a new industrial freezer and Lafrentz Trucking contributed $7,000 for a much needed new stove.
