Could We Do That Here? — Gull Lake Open Doors Day
- Gull Lake Events
- 1 day ago
- 3 min read
Over the next several weeks, we’ll look at ideas already working in other small towns—practical, creative, or community‑building—and ask a simple question: could they work here in Gull Lake? These aren’t proposals or plans, just possibilities to spark conversation and help us imagine what our town could try next.
Across the Prairies, one of the most surprisingly effective community‑building ideas isn’t a festival, a market, or a concert. It’s something much simpler — and much more personal.
It’s an Open Doors Day: a one‑day event where a community opens the spaces people rarely get to see. Not the front counters or the public areas — the back rooms, workshops, archives, and behind‑the‑scenes corners that quietly keep a town running.
And people are drawn to it.
Where It’s Working
Small towns across the Prairies — places under 2,000 people — regularly host open‑house or heritage‑day events. They may not use the “Doors Open” name, but the format is the same:
Buildings open their doors, volunteers share stories, and residents get a closer look at the places they pass every day.
These events often include:
• Museums opening their archives
• Churches offering tower or basement tours
• Heritage buildings showing restoration work
• Municipal shops or fire halls offering equipment walk‑throughs
• Local makers and home‑based businesses opening their workspaces
They’re simple, low‑cost, and consistently well‑received.
Typical Features
• Behind‑the‑scenes tours
• Demonstrations — baking, printing, equipment use
• Short talks — history, process, stories
• A simple map or passport
• Volunteer greeters
• Clear signage
• Drop‑in format
Some communities add a “passport stamp” so visitors can collect stamps at each stop and enter a draw.
Why It Works
Small towns have something cities don’t: direct access.
People can walk into a mechanic’s shop, a theatre projection booth, or a museum archive and talk to the people who run them.
Visitors often say:
“I’ve lived here for years and never knew this was inside.”
It builds pride.
It builds connection.
It builds understanding of the work people do behind the scenes.
Why It Fits Gull Lake
Gull Lake has the perfect mix of places people would love to see from the inside — and many of them already appear in our local business directory.
Shops & Services
• Mechanic and tire shops
• Autobody shops
• Boutiques and retail spaces
Food & Hospitality
• Restaurants and cafés
• Home‑based food producers
Agriculture & Trades
• Farm shops, equipment sheds, grain setups
• Contractor shops — carpentry, electrical, plumbing
• Small‑scale producers — honey, preserves, market‑garden operations
Community & Heritage
• Lyceum Theatre
• Gull Lake Museum
• Wong Guy Shoe Shop
• EMS Hall
• Swimming Pool
• Rink & Curling Rink
• Library
A Central Farm & Oil Industry Hub
For businesses or producers who prefer a display‑only setup — or who are unable to open their full workspace—a central “Farm & Oil Industry Hub” could be set up in town. This gives both agriculture and oilfield businesses a simple, safe way to participate.
Agriculture Displays
• Tractors or equipment
• Fencing or tool demos
• Beekeeping displays
• Grain‑handling setups
• Market‑garden or greenhouse tables
• “Day in the life” boards from each farm or ranch
Oilfield & Industrial Displays
• Service trucks parked for viewing
• Tool kits and PPE displays
• Non‑sensitive parts or components
• Safety gear demonstrations
• Maps of service areas
• “How our work supports the region” boards
This keeps the event walkable, safe, and easy to navigate — and it lets both farmers and oilfield businesses participate without opening their full workspaces or leaving their operations unattended.
Could We Do That Here?
An Open Doors Day in Gull Lake would give residents and visitors a chance to see our town in a whole new way—not just as buildings, but as a network of people, skills, stories, and places we rarely get to experience.
It’s simple.
It’s low‑cost.
And it works.
What do you think — could this work in Gull Lake?
I’d love to hear your thoughts.
Gull Lake Events
💡 This is just one of the many stories shaping life in Gull Lake.
👉 Explore more news, events, and community highlights on the Gull Lake Events Homepage.
Sponsorship Note: This editorial is brought to you by Gull Lake Events. This platform is made possible through the support of my local business, Campbell’s Accommodations. We believe in the importance of local news and are proud to help keep Gull Lake informed and connected.
Comments