Swift Current enjoyed special year in 2014
Swift Current Mayor Jerrod Schafer could not help but looking ahead to an exciting future after reflecting on the year that was during the final Swift Current City Council meeting of 2014.
Schafer made his year end remarks at the December 8 Swift Current City Council meeting, with the clear highlight of the past year the Centennial celebrations which commemorated Swift Current’s 100th anniversary.
“One of the things that I’ve gained the most from our centennial year is obviously a greater appreciation for our community, for the people and the events that have built it, but also the people that are a part of it and have made this year such a fantastic year.”
“We are really fortu- nate to live in Swift Current.
When I think of everything that happened throughout this year, and when I think of how exciting our future looks in our community…I think as a community we should be greatly excited.”
“Everything thats happened in our community has really raised the bar for Swift Current.”
Schafer said the past year got off to a roaring start on January 15 during the Centennial Gala at the iPlex, the first of three major celebrations to recognize Swift Current’s Centennial.
“That first event was a real successful way to kick things off. The performances were so good. There was so much positive feedback about the displays, and I think it really set the tone for how excited everybody was for the summer.”
The Centennial Homecoming Weekend, hosted in conjunction with Frontier Days, was an unqualified success for the community.
“That was led by our partners at the Ag and Ex who are experts at putting on a great party. They had a lot of pressure because they had to really step up and make one that would be something: a) that we would all remember but would be a great reason to celebrate this community and celebrate 100 years as a City, and b) give everybody a reason to come home.”
“Everybody I talked to was so thrilled with our community. The place really did look great.”
The finale of the Centennial year was the Light Up The Future celebration on November 28, another well organized event that did not disappointed.
“Everybody that I’ve talked to that was at the Light Up The Future event was so thrilled and really are excited for those types of events to continue carrying forward.”
“I thought it was fitting, and it wasn’t lost on me, that at a time of year when we kind of reflect on the last year, and in our case reflecting on the last 100 years and how much our city has grown and changed. But yet we all look forward. We’re anticipating the holidays, getting together with friends and family again, the New Year in 2015 and what’s to come. And all of our resolutions. There’s so much excitement.”
Schafer extended his thanks for the Centennial Committee for their tireless work in making 2014 a success.
“I do want to express my thanks to the Centennial Committee and all the volunteers that they were able to recruit. Of course all the sponsors that contributed funds to make sure that everybody that lives in our community, that lives in our region, or that visited our community and came home, was able to have a real amazing time.”
“I think anybody that had an opportunity to talk to somebody that hadn’t been in Swift Current for a while and came back at some point this year to celebrate the Centennial and has seen how much Swift Current has changed, I think is a real testament to everybody that’s invested in our community and believed in our community over the past decade, and certainly over the last 100 years.”
Bolstered by the success from 2014, Schafer has renewed optimism heading into 2015 and beyond.
“I know as a community and a region, when I think about the partnership that’s developing between us and the Rural Municipalities that surround us in regards to all paying equal allotments on Long Term Care and working together on things like that. I’m more optimistic than I think I’ve ever been on City Council for the future of this community and this region and what’s in store for 2015 and beyond.”