By Angela Brown

BTEC celebrates 50 years

Oct 13, 2017 | 5:00 PM

It took a lot of love and money to make Battlefords Trade and Education Centre Inc. (BTEC) the success it is today.

On Friday the community came together to celebrate the organization’s 50th anniversary with an open house at its new facility in North Battleford.

BTEC provides day programs for individuals with intellectual disabilities in the community, offering education and resources to improve their quality of life, as well as outings in the community.    

Smiling and wiping away tears, executive director Mona Leece thanked the board members for starting the organization back in 1967. 

She has worked with BTEC for the past 23 years.

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“Fifty years is a long time,” Leece said. “That’s why we wanted to have the celebration and invite the community.” 

“The community was the one that helped us so much getting the new building,” she added.

The facility started operating out of the old armoury building in North Battleford. The organization moved to the new facility at 801-105 St. a year ago, after raising $2.4 million in a fundraising drive.

The donor wall was also unveiled at the open house. 

Donation

The North Battleford Professional Bull Riding Committee (PBR) donated $17,371 to BTEC during the open house.

PBR has supported BTEC for the past three years.

“All the money we give to BTEC is from the PBR event in [North Battleford]. All the gate money, the ticket money, the 50-50 draw, the bar and beverage and food sales,” committee chair Corey Chmelnyk said. “We give every cent right back to BTEC.” 

Don Salie is one of the longest serving board members with BTEC, after starting with the organization around 1984. 

“There were a number of changes, but we were always looking forward to a new building, and we finally made it,” he said.

The new building features an arts and crafts area, quiet rooms, a gazebo and outdoor area, a full kitchen, dining room, and a book store.

There are also a number of pod rooms where staff can provide educational activities for the clients. 

“Our target is to give them a better class of life within the community and help them to engage in different activities,” Salie said. 

Bob Reader, who has also been on the board since the early beginnings, and was the managing director in 1989, also attended the open house.

BTEC started with five clients and one director on staff, and has grown to 69 participants and about 20 staff. 

angela.brown@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: @battlefordsnow