The Woking Multiplex Association is breathing a new life to the Woking School building. After the school’s closure in June 2021, Saddle Hills County stepped in with the community to take on the building, and the association already has been able to set a few things in motion to turn the building into a community facility. The association has organized a free community supper on Saturday, January 28, to mark the grand opening of the facility, now known as Woking Multiplex. Read on.
Please tell us about how the transition of the Woking School to Woking Multiplex has come about.
The Woking School was faced with a gradual decline in enrollment and reduced government funding; therefore, the Peace Wapiti Public School Division (PWPSD) proposed to close the school. After much discussion, the PWPSD Board of Trustees voted to close the school at the end of the 2020-2021 school year. Saddle Hills County then negotiated the sale of the school building from the school division.
Why is it important for the Woking community to have the Woking Multiplex and the programs/services it envisions to deliver?
The Woking Multiplex is important to bring the community together, offer recreation, promote social interactions and aid in community development.
Please tell us about the organization behind the Woking Multiplex. What was it like recruiting for new community volunteers?
In order for Saddle Hills County to take on the Woking School, the community formed a committee and created a society, the Woking Multiplex Association. We had people step forward to be on the board and have had volunteers come forward when needed. Right when the school closed many people showed up to the first meeting to express why we should keep this a community facility.
Aside from the free supper, are there any other activities lined up to mark the grand opening of the Woking Multiplex on Saturday, January 28?
The free supper on January 28 is a Meet and Greet and a great time to come and check out the building. You can have a look in the classrooms and see what recreational equipment we have. There will be door prizes, and we will be there to answer any questions you may have. Thanks to those that have RSVP’d, and you can still drop by for supper if you would like to come.
Is the Woking Multiplex going to be both running its own events throughout the year as well as providing a venue for events of other community organizations? What is it an ideal venue for?
We will have a few of our own events during the year while providing a venue for other events. Right now, we have the Woking Municipal Library in two classrooms. Another classroom has kids play toys for the once-a-week Moms and Tots. In the gym, there is drop-in pickleball on Tuesday and Wednesday nights, and we can also do pickleball on other days, as requested. Drop-in volleyball on Thursday nights has had a very good turnout lately. There is a group of homeschoolers renting the gym as well. The gym is a great place to have a birthday party as the two bookings we had would book again. The Woking Multiplex would be a great place for meetings, office space, classes, recreation and large group gatherings.