OUR STORY
VOLUNTEER DRIVEN SINCE 1972
In 1972 a group of 158 Vilna residents signed
an application to form the
Vilna & District Agricultural Society.
These signatures, along with affidavits,
were submitted to the Minister of Agriculture.
The application met the requirements
of the Agricultural Societies Act, and the Minister
issued a charter to be presented to the people of
Vilna by Mr. Grant Gillund,
the District Agriculturist at Smoky Lake.
The Vilna & District Agricultural Society
was formed on March 16, 1972,
with a membership of 162.
The first annual meeting of the society was
held in the Vilna School gymnasium on April 18, 1972.
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BOARD OF DIRECTORS
PRESIDENT - Charlie Leskiw
VICE PRESIDENT- Bernie Buyar
SECRETARY-TREASURER - Marion Vinnette
DIRECTOR- Frank Barry
DIRECTOR- Donna Cherniwchan
DIRECTOR- Ray Copeland
DIRECTOR- Ed Dyck
DIRECTOR- Ron Farmer
DIRECTOR- Mary Flondra
DIRECTOR- Peter Flondra
During the first annual general meeting, many possibilities of the projects the society
could attempt to undertake were discussed.
In 1972, the groundwork was laid for the building of the Complex consisting of a skating rink shell plus three sheets of curling ice.
Applications were submitted for Provincial and Federal Government grants.
Following many successful fundraising ventures, Vilna saw the completion of the
new Complex in December 1973.
An official celebration was held on March 2, 1974.
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
PRESIDENT - Tamara Flondra
VICE PRESIDENT- Bernie Buyar
SECRETARY-TREASURER - Marion Vinnette
DIRECTOR- Donna Cherniwchan
DIRECTOR- Ray Copeland
DIRECTOR- Ed Dyck
DIRECTOR- Mary Flondra
DIRECTOR- Peter Flondra
DIRECTOR - Charlie Leskiw
DIRECTOR- VACANT
STAFF
FACILITY CARE-TAKER - Jennifer Vinette
OFFICE MANAGER - Rebecca Green
1975-1983 were years of growth for the Society & community. The need was identified to
build a hall with a library, and the
sod turning ceremony was held in 1984.
A total of 4 acres of land was purchased for $25,000.
Some of the funds were loaned
by 35 residents who saw value in the project.
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The Cultural Center was officially
opened on September 1, 1990.
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The Cultural Center houses the Vilna Municipal Library.