District community struggles to keep community hall going

There aren’t as many people living in the district northwest of Moose Jaw as once, but those left are determined to keep their community hall. Folks in the Rowletta district, 30 miles northwest of Moose Jaw, are working to redo the maple floors on the Rowletta Civic Centre. “Over the years the sub floor rotted and the floor has weaves and bumps,” said spokesperson Bonnie Clubbe. “It’s unsafe.”

No cost estimate for the job will be available “until we get into it. It will be expensive.”

Over the years, the community has redone the kitchen and more recently repaired the roof.

Part of the repair needs arose from several years when they couldn’t af- ford to heat the hall, she said. The community, with help from some of the young people moving in, started holding more events – craft days, movie nights — a few years ago.

“We think it’s important to keep the hall going. It’s our gathering place. It’s important to keep rural Saskatchewan alive.”

Clubbe says she practically grew up in the centre, assisting her mother in the concession kitchen.

It’s one of two community halls left in the RM of Marquis.

The Rowletta Civic Centre has a long community history as a gathering place from the many curling bonspiels when the rink was used, to dances, spring and fall suppers, theatre and picnics.

And the site was home base for the championship Rowletta Lakers baseball team and ball tournaments. Spring and fall suppers are still held with rentals for social events like weddings and anniversaries. “Our (former) people like to gather there.”

To help raise funds for the new floor, a Rib and Caesar Night will be held at the Crushed Can in Moose Jaw on Jan. 31 from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. For tickets call Clubbe at 306-6316534.