The Historic Battleford Lions Club has joined in the fundraising efforts for restoring the Opera House in Battleford.
Lions Suzanne Reid, Audrey and Doug Reid and Neil and Rhonda Gosling attended the last meeting of the year for town councillors Dec. 21 to present the proceeds from this fall's Operun, a total of $2,375.
"Next year we hope it will be much more," said Operun chair Suzanne Reid.
Reid said the Lions Club had been wondering for quite some time what do to as a fundraiser for the Opera House.
"In the end, we decided to do a run," she said.
It was held Oct. 4, and Reid said, in her opinion, it was a success, judging by how many participants asked them to hold another one next year.
"It was a very cold day and everybody was shivering as they were running, but there were a lot of happy faces," she said. "We took people past the beautiful buildings in Battleford, the court house, the post office, out to the Fort and then down through the river paths and back to the town hall and Opera House."
Results Canada provided each runner with a chip timer so their race time is recorded, attracting runners from out of town. Participants could choose to run or walk 10 kilometres or five kilometres or run a half marathon.
Next year's date is set for Oct. 2.
"Hopefully you can all be there and walk or run with us," said Reid.
In addition to presenting the cheque, the Lions also presented a print of artwork done by Dean Bauche, the featured artist for their first Operun. Accepting was the Town's representative to the Opera House board, Gordon Yarde.
Mayor Derek Mahon congratulated the Lions Club for taking on the initiative, recognizing the approximately 30 Lions volunteers as well as the numerous sponsors behind the day.
He said, "We are always looking for more people to be involved," and he thanked the Historic Battleford Lions Club for "leading the charge."
The Opera House is located on the top floor of Battleford's town hall. It has been has been unused since a fire in 1965, and work has already begun on its refurbishment.
"Recently there's been some discussion, some thoughts, around, 'How do you get 250 people from ground level to Opera House level and what's the best way to go about that," said Mayor Mahon.
He said there has been some re-examination of various concepts that have been envisioned.
"Maybe there's a different vision get people to the Opera House level," he said, adding there are some structural issues in the building as identified in a number of reports that have been done.
"There are some issues with the floor, so in order to get 250 people up there, you got to make sure they are supported, let alone the stairway or elevator or way to get up there," he said.
It's a lot more complicated than one might assume, added Mahon, but there should be some announcements coming soon with the focus of putting the Opera House, an "acoustical gem" as described by the Saskatoon Symphony Orchestra representatives, back into use.
