The Dekker Centre, the exciting new Performing Arts Centre in North Battleford, was selected byRivers West District for Sport, Culture and Recreation, as the Recreation Facility of the Year.
Thiswas announced at the organization's annual awards banquet, which was held in Neilburg April 24. Unfortunately,there was no one present to accept the award.
The Dekker Centre has been a long-awaited addition to the cultural scene within the local district. As the nomination stated, "Talk of such a performing arts theatre has been in the works since the conception of the Battlefords Community Theatre which was started back in 1953. It was the first community theatre in Saskatchewan."
"A little over three years ago, the City of North Battleford asked the community of less than 20,000 residents, if they were willing to fundraise $10 million of the $60 million dollars needed to build the four facilities in the (CUPlex) - $15 million would be earmarked for the theatre. The Dekker Centre had their grand opening on September 22, 2012, to a sold out crowd."
"The auditorium sits 385 people and is fully wheelchair accessible. The stage is divided into three areas across and four areas deep. It has a fly system and state of the art audio visual equipment. The event hall is 3,200 square feet and can accommodate 200 people for banquets.It is also equipped with a full commercial kitchen and is fully licensed to provide a complete bar service.
"The Dekker Centre is dependent upon the goodwill of the community. Each performance is only possible due to the contributions of the corporate sponsors, individual donors and the many volunteers that are committed to many duties at all functions. The centre is proud to have a list of over 70 people who want to be a part of the centre on a volunteer basis, and thatnumber continues to grow daily.
"The Dekker Centre is very proud and excited about this fabulous new facility and members of the Rivers West District for Sport, Culture and Recreation look forward to celebrating the arts at the facility for many years to come."
