YORKTON – Deer Park Golf Course held the grand opening for its new club house June 28.
The event was attended by local dignitaries, business owners and general public.
"This clubhouse epitomizes commitment and vision," said Mayor Mitch Hippsley in his address to those in attendance.
"Being a non-golfer myself ... I've heard over the years how bad this building was — the old building — and I was also told on the same breath, 'don't even think about it — that will never happen — a new building will never take place'," said Hippsley, adding, "that's what I heard for — I don't know how long — 15-20 years."
"Well, thanks to our very aggressive and diligent council, here we are," said Hippsley.
"We all heard stories about how badly we were behind here and we may not even open up this year — but thanks to the commitment and the diligent hard work of NL Construction — they not only put Yorkton on the map they put themselves on the map," said Hippsley.
"Already this facility has garnered a lot of attention both locally and provincially and it will continue for a very, very, very long time," said Hippsley, adding, "this building is not only for golfers, but also everyone who wished to enjoy this incredible view and our incredible chefs and their food delivery."
Hippsley noted the the facility has already been booked for "many functions."
"It is a true privilege to stand before you on behalf of our council and officially open the Deer Park Clubhouse today."
"I was here last Wednesday and someone said, 'we don't deserve this facility' and that's just simply not true," said Mitch Strocen, Project Consultant with aodbt Architecture + interior design, during his speech to the crowd.
"The old [clubhouse] did really well for you as a community — but it was time, it was past its prime and there were some fundamental things that were wrong with it that couldn't be changed," said Strocen, "as a city you more than deserve this and you should be very proud it."
"We were challenged as a design team to accommodate now but also accommodate the future," said Strocen, noting the proximity of the ninth hole to the new structure and the plan for the hole to be moved in the future.
"I think back to 18 months ago when this came across my desk and the guys asked, 'are we going with that one' and I said, 'it's cool — it's simply cool — we're going at this one," said Dustin Nehring of NL Construction, the General Contractor for the project, adding, "we were all-in right from the beginning,"
"I can proudly say at some point all 40 of our staff members did something at this project — and that means a lot to me that they were all able to see bits and pieces of it," said Nehring, "I have to give all the credit to my team ... the credit goes out to my team — these guys are phenomenal — I appreciate them so much."
