(Above Photo) Ribbon cutting (L to R) Former MHA Chairman Austin Gillette, Councilman Fred Fox, Chairman Mark Fox, and Vida Wells McDonald Daughter of Ralph Wells, Jr.
Story by Anne Morsette / Photos courtesy of Marita Abe
The East segment community of White Shield has been patiently awaiting the construction of its new facilities. Construction crews have been working diligently on all projects for the last two years. One of its final and biggest projects was officially completed this November. On Friday November 19th, the community came together to celebrate the grand opening of White Shield’s new Ralph Wells Jr Community Center.
The event was held in their events room. East Segment councilman Fred Fox hosted the event. Young Hawk Bear Post 253 rendered the flags at the start of the event. Guest speakers Chairman Mark Fox took the mic along with former Chairmen Austin Gillette and Ed Lonefight. A brief history was explained on the former Ralph Wells Memorial Complex along with the new Ralph Wells Jr Community Center name. The Ralph Wells name has been memorialized in the former complex for the last fifty years, and will continue its legacy in the new community center. Woodstone Inc and Bruton Architects and Engineers also got the opportunity to greet the community and give comments on new community center.
The ribbon cutting ceremony took place at the entrance of the new building. Vida Wells McDonald,Daughter of Ralph Wells, Jr. cut the ribbon with Tribal Council members alongside her. Tours were given throughout the facility. The Ralph Wells Jr Community Center has something to enjoy for everyone, no matter what age. Anyone may visit the new center during business hours. The facility holds a state-of-the-art fitness center, a movie theatre, a water park/swimming pool, an indoor track, basketball courts, and much more. It sits conveniently next to the new school, so kids may walk next door for extra curricular activities after school is out, or just to have fun. Children must be attended by an adult however. The staff are all highly trained and professional in all areas of the community center.
The community center was the last of the projects that needed to be completed out of all the recent developments that occurred in White Shield over the last couple years. All the new developments sit near one another. It’s great for the community of White Shield to have all these new facilities, especially for the youth. Although White Shield has always been a nice community, there will surely be a lot more positivity in and around White Shield now with all it has to offer.
