The Meridian Source looks back at events in February 2025.
Fagnan awarded King’s Coronation Medal
The late Glenn Fagnan was remembered as a big-hearted, caring, never-give-up soul during the Feb. 3 Rotary Club of Lloydminster meeting.
Fagnan was a Rotarian for more than 30 years, so it was fitting the award be given at the meeting.
Vermilion-Lloydminster-Wainwright MLA Garth Rowswell was allotted one King’s Coronation Medal for any of his constituents, and chose Fagnan.
“I knew Glenn through Rotary. I knew what kind of a volunteer he was here and how giving he was as an individual,” said Rowswell to a full house.
“It was right around his funeral when we were trying to figure out who to give it to. I was there … when you learn about how much stuff he did for other people that you never heard about, that he wouldn’t brag about it, he would just do it.”
Aaron Buckingham, who worked closely with Fagnan on Border City Connects initiatives, said he was a large part of why he is who he is today.
“For me, I’m the living, breathing example of Glenn Fagnan,” said Buckingham. “Without Glenn, I wouldn’t be any of the things I have been, any of the things that I am.”
Buckingham said Fagnan took him under his wing as a young man in Lloydminster. Their bond grew through various boards, groups and even council over three decades.
“You look at the bricks and mortar and the different things Glenn has touched over the years, and there’s hardly one that isn’t touched by Glenn’s hand,” said Buckingham. “No matter what you asked of Glenn, you got it, no matter what it was.”
Lions celebrate 75 years of service
The Lloydminster Lions Club marked 75 years of service in the community this year.
Members gathered to celebrate their achievements on Feb. 8 at the Legacy Centre.
For longtime members like Vic Juba, this milestone is special. Juba has been a Lion for more than 71 years and has not missed a meeting in more than 50 of them. He paused when asked about why he does it.
“Hopefully, to make things better than when you started, when you leave a legacy behind,” Juba said.
To Juba, it’s all about giving back after being in the community for so many years. He had to think back about the club’s greatest accomplishments and recalled one accomplishment quickly — the creation of Lions Park in 1953.
“It was a big, big project,” he said. “A house was raffled off. The money from that started the park.”
Over the years, the club has left a mark on the city. It built Lions Park, Glendale Park and Anniversary Park. Members also funded a cataract surgery unit for the local hospital. When the machine became outdated in Canada, it was sent to Guatemala where it’s still used.
“Shovels in the ground, hands in the dirt,” said proud Lion Kathy Smithson. “When you look around the community and see what you’ve done, you can’t beat that feeling.”
Club member Shelley Tatro agreed.
“We mean business,” she said. “Seventy-five years, we’ve been busy.”
The club is not slowing down, with plans for a new park underway. The group also continues its diabetes initiative, a cause close to Juba’s heart.
“Sight conservation is a Lions International project,” said Juba. “It’s very connected to diabetes. I hope research will get rid of diabetes and vision loss.”
The Lions Club is also focused on growth. The international organization aims to reach 1.5 million members worldwide.
“We’re always looking for new members,” said Tatro.
For one night, though, the club took time to reflect.
“Tonight’s our night to brag,” said Smithson. “We don’t boast about ourselves very often.”
New arena begins to take shape
Lloydminster’s brand new state-of-the-art arena was working toward completion in late February.
Construction entered the winter months and much of the work had moved indoors. The end of the last quarter saw some more procurement being done.
“Q4 2024 concluded with the Wayfinding signage contractor procured. Cowan Graphics Inc of Edmonton was awarded the interior wayfinding signage contract for the project,” said Joel Turcotte, director of recreation and cultural services for the City of Lloydminster, at the Feb. 10 Governance and Priorities Committee meeting.
Roof insulation was completed on the low roofs on the north and east sides of the building in October. On the exterior of the building, insulated metal panel installation was completed. The exterior steel stud and drywall was completed as well.
The hard landscaping contractor completed the first asphalt lift in the southern portion of the parking lot. The rest of the exposed parking lot was winterized and paving was planned for spring.
Major mechanical and electrical equipment had been delivered to the site and was being moved to their final locations. Concrete sidewalks had been poured along the west side of 39 Ave. Gas lines were completed and connected to the building by ATCO Gas.
As December 2024 and January 2025 rolled around, major milestones were marked.
“Some milestones were done. In October, we had the structural steel and metal decking, in November finish trades mobilized to site, in December concourse and suite level framing complete, and January the event arena pad pour,” said Turcotte.
Fundraising efforts were ongoing and the team was working to secure sponsorships for the remaining assets.
Kiwanis marks 41 years in Lloyd
The Kiwanis Club of Lloydminster celebrated 41 years in the community with a dinner at Spiro’s.
The small club of around a dozen members joined to celebrate their accomplishments, which included a visit from the Lt. Governor Terry Ross and the induction of one new member to the club, Gordon Flath.
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