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Blackfalds’ Wadey Centre nearing completion

Historic mail-order home will serve as new visitor centre.
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Wadey House on the move to its new location in Blackfalds All Star Park last November. Red Deer Advocate file photo

A unique visitor information centre is nearing completion in Blackfalds.

Wadey Centre also provides offices for the chamber of commerce, Blackfalds and Area Historical Society and an archives.

The centre was created by moving the community’s century-old Wadey House to a new site at All Star Park and extensively renovating it.

“The house looks fantastic,” said Blackfalds Mayor Melodie Stol. Renovators did “beautiful work” on the house to ensure its place in the community.

“It’s a home that’s been restored to serve a functional purpose.” For instance, public washrooms will be included for those using the nearby dog park or walking the TransCanada Trail.

Early Blackfalds settler George Wadey ordered the home from Eatons and it was sent out by train and pieced together on site.

The house served generations of the Wadey family over about 80 years before the home came into the hands of the town.

Last November, the house was moved and work has been ongoing to get it ready for summer.

“What we’re waiting for right now is the site to dry up a little bit. We have some landscaping and parking to get done,” said Stol.

The project is part of the town’s celebrations for Canada’s 150th birthday. An official opening ceremony is set for July 1.