The mini powwow presentation at the NATIONSWEST Field House Saturday. (submitted photos/Leah Garven)

By Angela Brown

Fall Blast Festival wrap

North Battleford’s InnovationPlex 10-year anniversary celebration a success

Oct 4, 2022 | 4:20 PM

The North Battleford InnovationPlex (formerly the CUplex) recreation and cultural centre celebrated its 10-year anniversary on the weekend, which attracted plenty of celebrants.

The anniversary celebrations were organized by the City of North Battleford’s Parks and Recreation department, led by director Cheryl DeNeire. A variety of events were held throughout September, leading up to the grand finale, ‘Fall Blast: A Salute to the InnovationPlex’ on Saturday.

The event included a barbecue lunch, kite-flying demonstrations, a pancake breakfast served by city council, a free swim at Battlefords CO-OP Aquatic Centre sponsored by Discovery Co-op, and a mini powwow presentation at the NationsWEST Field House.

The powwow event was a partnership with the City of North Battleford, InnovationPlex, and NATIONSWEST Field House.

The city’s Leah Garven, who was among those who helped organize the powwow, said a variety of dancers registered to take part in the event.

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“We had 36 dancers of all ages and styles including men’s traditional, grass dance, and fancy dance,” she said. “The teen boys’ category had traditional and chicken dance, and the younger set had boys’ traditional, fancy, and grass. Women’s and teens’ categories included ladies golden, traditional, fancy, and jingle. Tiny tots came out and showcased their best moves and won the hearts of the audience.”

It is estimated that about 250 people attended the event, with 60 participating.

“To get the audience involved, the singers sang two round dance songs, which got the majority of the crowd up onto their feet, including Mayor David Gillan, and Councillors Kelli Hawtin and Bill Ironstand who were in attendance,” Garven said.

She said the organizers were thrilled with the positive response to the event.

“We had a great turnout for the powwow,” Garven said. “We had estimated 30 dancers but got 36, and there was a diverse crowd of people in attendance.”

Coun. Ironstand was thrilled with the whole Fall Blast event, saying it was well attended.

“It was a very good day. We were busy; there were lots of different activities. It was well organized,” he said. “I thought all the members of the community that came out really enjoyed it.”

Ironstand thanked all the city staff who helped make the event possible.

“There were a lot of different city staff from different departments there – from public works to parks and recreation, and the Field House staff, all helping,” he said. “A lot of the different directors were there. It was a good day. It was a real cooperative effort from all parts of the city. And companies like the [Discovery] Co-op were there and [offered] free hot dogs outside, good community partners.”

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angela.brown@pattisonmedia.com

On Twitter: @battlefordsNOW