Gull Lake 2035—Part II: What We Build Together
- Gull Lake Events
- Oct 19
- 5 min read
Updated: Oct 25
A three‑part look at our past, present, and future
In Part One, we explored the vision that has carried Gull Lake forward—from the resilience of our early days to the opportunities we see on the horizon. But vision alone isn’t enough. Every generation has had to do the hard work of building in the present.
This second installment, What We Build Together, takes a closer look at the choices and commitments that shape our community. Through three chapters—The Past, The Present, and The Future—we reflect on the foundations that gave us strength, the projects and partnerships that sustain us today, and the dreams we can build if we continue to work side by side.
The Past: Foundations of Resilience
Every generation of Gull Lake—from our early founders to today—has faced a choice: to adapt or to fade. We’ve always chosen to adapt.
The first sidewalks, poured in 1949, changed how people moved through town. In 1960, the tendering of sewer and waterlines—along with the construction of our first lagoon and water plant—marked a leap into modern infrastructure. These weren’t glamorous projects, but they were transformative.
Culture and community life grew alongside infrastructure. The Lyceum Theatre, standing since the town’s earliest days, became a symbol of resilience when it was rebuilt not once, but twice after devastating fires. Each time, the community rallied—proof that Gull Lake does not give up on the institutions that shape our identity.
➡️ Pull Quote:
“Our own history shows something better: when we create space and opportunity—and match it with vision and intention—Gull Lake grows.”
The Present: Building in the Here and Now
Every generation inherits both the strengths and the unfinished work of those who came before. Today, Gull Lake is in the middle of that story—not only remembering our past, not only dreaming of our future, but actively building in the here and now.
We see it in the infrastructure that sustains us. The lagoon expansion, undertaken during my time on council, was required by the province and carried a financial weight that nearly maxed our debt limit. By sharing the reasons and the costs openly with residents, we turned a difficult necessity into a shared decision. That expansion became one of the quiet but essential projects that secured Gull Lake’s ability to grow.
We see it in the way our community has rallied around essential services. In the 1980s and 1990s, when staffing the ambulance service became a crisis, residents and municipalities refused to let it slip away. Volunteers stepped forward, new structures were created, and eventually the Gull Lake and District Road Ambulance Corporation brought the service back under local control. That determination—to keep care close to home—is still part of who we are.
We see it again in 2008, when the personal care home faced the threat of closure. Rather than accept the loss, the community and surrounding municipalities came together to keep the facility open. A local board was formed, ensuring that seniors could continue to receive care in their own town. It was a moment that proved once more that Gull Lake does not walk away from the institutions that matter most.
We see it in the way we’ve invested in families. In 2013, Gull Lake received 25 daycare seats, and the town donated the lot where the Kreative Kidz Early Learning Centre stands today. Thanks to the organizers and the community coming together, families gained a vital service that continues to support working parents and help young children thrive.
We see it in the way residents are stepping forward to create new opportunities. The Gull Lake Property Development Co‑op, a group of local residents, has taken on the restoration of the old pharmacy in our downtown. Their goal is simple but powerful: to breathe new life into a landmark building and open the door for new business opportunities. It’s a reminder that community development isn’t only about preserving what we have—it’s also about investing in what comes next.
We see it in the spaces we’ve built together. The Recreation Complex, born from cooperation between town and rural municipalities, continues to anchor our skating, bowling, and community gatherings. In 1971, the Chamber of Commerce established the campground, and in 2000, residents came together again to create Little Green on the Prairie Park, transforming an empty lot into a place of pride and play.
➡️ Pull Quote:
“Building in the present takes patience. It takes trust. And it takes the belief that when residents are included, Gull Lake grows stronger.”
What we build together in the present is not always visible in headlines. It is the committees that give residents a voice in areas such as heritage, recreation, beautification, and economic development. It is the sidewalks that make our town walkable, the volunteers who keep our rink alive, and the quiet hours of planning that secure tomorrow’s water supply.
This is the work of today—steady, practical, and shared. It’s what ensures that the vision we carry into 2035 has a foundation strong enough to stand on.
The Future: What We Dream to Build Next
Every generation of Gull Lake has faced the same question: what comes next? Our founders laid the first sidewalks and waterlines. Later generations built the rink, the theatre, the campground, and the park. In recent decades, we’ve expanded our lagoon, modernized services, and created committees that give residents a voice. Each step has carried us forward.
Now it’s our turn to dream.
We dream of infrastructure that doesn’t just meet today’s needs but secures tomorrow’s needed growth—a modern water plant to replace the one first built in 1960, reliable regional partnerships, and systems that can carry us through the next fifty years.
We dream of public spaces that connect neighborhoods, make our downtown feel alive and welcoming, and provide gathering places where stories are shared across generations.
We dream of opportunities for our youth—programs, jobs, and mentorships that make Gull Lake not just a place to grow up, but a place to stay, to return to, and to invest in.
We dream of a community that continues to lead with resilience—where volunteers, committees, councils, and residents work side by side, building trust and shaping decisions together.
➡️ Pull Quote:
“The truth is, no single council, committee, or generation will finish this work. Each of us adds a piece to the story, and each of us hands the tools to the next.”
And we dream of a Gull Lake that keeps its character while embracing change—a town that honors its history, adapts with intention, and never stops building together.
📣 Closing Call for Input
What do you see being built in Gull Lake right now—and what do you dream we could build next? Share your story and your vision, and let’s keep building together.
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