The village of Weldon had nearly triple the population on Saturday as friends, family, community members and dignitaries were on hand to officially open the Wes Petterson Memorial Park.
The park and playground were built to honour the late Wes Petterson
Through a sign language interpreter, Petterson’s son, Wes Petterson Jr., said that his father would be proud of what the small community had done in his memory. He also had the honour of cutting the ribbon to open the park officially.
“He would be so glad that the kids have a safe place to play, and I know that my father will be watching over them and watching them play in the park,” Petterson said.
Diane Hovdebo, Petterson’s Sister-in-Law was amazed how quickly the park came to be.
“It’s pretty amazing that they did it that quick and the most amazing part is that they felt the need to put Wes’ name in memory of it. That’s awesome,” Hovdebo said.
Petterson was one of 11 people killed during a mass stabbing rampage two years ago. He was the only victim from Weldon, while the other 10 were from nearby James Smith Cree Nation.
Representatives from James Smith Cree Nation accept a picture as a token of appreciation from the Weldon Playground Committee at the grand opening of the Wes Petterson Memorial Park on Saturday in Weldon.
The Wes Petterson Memorial Park in Weldon.
The organizing committee for the Weldon Playground Project introduced themselves to start the ceremony and co-directors Jamie Petrie and Chelsey Erickson acted as emcees.
Petrie and Erickson were left without words about how quickly it became a reality.
“We did not think any of this would ever happen if you were here seven months ago, that was half covered up with dirt and there was a big weed pit there and we’ve had it all cleaned up,” Petrie said.
“We’ve done everything we can to restore the area and it’s completely changed in Weldon. And it’s funny because we both live nearby, but so far we have seen people coming from out of town just to come play in the park,” she added.
“It came together so fast like it’s hard to explain, you know, cause we both have kids and we didn’t think our kids would be playing on it,” Erickson said.
The playground opening was a day of celebrations starting with a pancake breakfast and including children’s activities, a show and shine, a barbecue and a family dance.
Erickson and Petrie said that the population of Weldon nearly tripled with everyone in the village for the event.
“By 9:30 [a.m.], there were cars coming up to the Show and Shine, and then we saw people lining up for the pancake breakfast and it was… just beyond,” Petrie said.
The park features a main play set with multiple slides and a climbing net, along with monkey bars, a teeter-totter, a jungle gym, and a merry-go-round. The park also has two soccer goals with built-in football uprights, a handful of benches and numerous flower boxes.
“It’s so heartwarming to see, they’ve done such a great job,” Petterson Jr. said.
Additionally, six flag poles were erected next to the park that now wave the flags of Canada, Saskatchewan, Metis Nation, and James Smith Cree Nation, while the flags of the Peter Chapman Band and Chakastaypasin Band will be raised at a later date. The flags were raised to thank everyone who donated and helped make the park come to life.
The park was built entirely from donations by local businesses and community members, which was highlighted by a $116,000 donation by James Smith Cree Nation in April.
“This playground was built on strictly donations, it hadn’t come from taxpayers or anything. It was strictly donations and blood, sweat and tears,” Erickson said.
The land the park sits on was donated by the Weldon Country Villa care home, next to the site.
Because the Country Villa is a cooperative there had to be a vote held at the Annual General Meeting in April and the decision was made to donate the land.
“We attended the AGM and we told them what we wanted and there was not a hand that didn’t go up,” Erickson said.
The land stretches behind the park and also includes a football field and soccer net.
“With the generous donations, we were able to put the soccer and football nets up,” Petrie said.
The Mayor of Weldon Ron Clayton thanked the playground group for everything that they did for Weldon.
Melfort MLA Todd Goudy and Prince Albert Member of Parliament Randy Hoback also gave speeches.
Elders James Burns and Ronnie Paul blessed the grounds and prayed before the ceremony.
Speakers from the three First Nations that make up the James Smith Cree Nation included Chief Kirby Constant and Counc. Justin Burns of James Smith, Chakastaypasin Band Chief Calvin Sanderson and Counc. Barry Sanderson and Counc. Adam Whitehead and Counc. Hughie Head from Peter Chapman Band.
Andrea Fiss brought greetings on behalf of the Metis Nation-Saskatchewan (MN-S) who acted as sponsors for the event.
The Committee presented pictures of the playground to everyone who supported the project.
The family were the last speakers to thank everyone for their work in the park.
Petterson Jr. Said that he did not always live in Weldon because of work but knew of his father’s involvement in the community.
“Now I’m thinking that once I retire, I will move to my dad’s family home where my dad used to live. And I will live there and then be in Weldon with his spirit,” Petterson Jr. said.
