Grand Opening

The Official Goat Mountain Kids Centre Grand Opening has finally happened! While the centre opened its doors to children on November 29, 2020, restrictions on gatherings associated with the covid-19 pandemic resulted in a delay in hosting the official grand opening. Careful to follow all Provincial Health Orders pertaining to gatherings, School District 10 (Arrow Lakes) and Goat Mountain Kids Society were able to host a successful grand opening on Wednesday, October 13, 2021. The opening took place in the Lucerne School former tennis courts outside of the centre’s play area and was attended by West Kootenay MLA Karine Conroy, Columbia Basin Trust’s Kelvin Saldern, SD10 current Superintendent Peter Dubinsky and former Superintendent Terry Taylor, Members of the former Goat Mountain School Society, GMKS Board members, Goat Mountain Kids Centre staff, and others who supported the development of the centre. Major capital funding was provided by BC’s Ministry of Children & Family Development (MCFD) and the Columbia Basin Trust, without which this centre would not exist – we can’t thank them enough for their support. The Centre is also indebted to Mor Cor Drilling, the former Goat Mountain School Society, and Zion Lutherin Church for their generous donations to the Centre.

The event was opened with blessings and welcomes by elders Eloise Charet and, on behalf of the autonomous Sinixt, Al Richardson. Eloise reminded us that the centre is a place of transition for the children. She spoke of GMKC being a place people send their very young children to integrate with the community, learn and explore with caregivers and peers, and continue their development into independent beings. It takes trust to leave young children in the care of others and everyone involved in the running of Goat Mountain Kids Centre is grateful for that trust from the community, as well as the support of the community. We would like to thank everyone involved for making this centre a reality and we look forward to being an integral part of this community for many years to come. Cheers! (oh… take a look at the gorgeous lemon cake in the photos, locally made and decorated by pastry chef extraordinaire Robin McNabb; other event refreshments were supplied by New Denver’s New Market Foods).