More than 210 tickets were sold for the Veiner Centre's one-year anniversary celebration barbecue lunch.--NEWS PHOTO KENDALL KING
kking@medicinehatnews.com
Hatters turned out in droves for the Veiner Centre’s one-year anniversary barbecue and open house held Wednesday.
Event organizers initially planned for 150 attendees, but public demand prompted them to increase that to 210. Even thereafter, the event was a sellout.
“I’m absolutely delighted to see as many people here as there are; it’s fantastic,” Richard Parker, board chair for the Kerby Centre – Veiner Centre’s operator – told the News. “To me, it’s an expression of how welcome Medicine Hat citizens have made Kerby as we became the operator of the Veiner Centre.”
Parker, along with other Kerby Centre representatives, felt the barbecue both an excellent way to celebrate the centre’s growth over the past year, as well as an opportunity for community members to come together.
“And I think there’s something about meeting and talking to people in person that is grounding and confirms that you’re doing the right things,” said Kerby Centre CEO Larry Mathieson. “And it’s exciting to see people using this building, creating fellowship … having a good time, having something to eat; it’s what we work for.”
Several local representatives were also in attendance, including Mayor Linnsie Clark, Couns. Cassie Hider, Shila Sharps, Ramona Robins, Andy McGrogan and Cypress-Medicine Hat MLA Drew Barnes.
“I came out to support this wonderful facility and all the amazing work that’s gone into it,” Hider said prior to enjoying her barbecue lunch. “It’s so well received and so needed in our community. It brings people together of all ages (and) I feel it’s a huge asset to our city.”
