St. Ambrose Church holds Oktoberfest fundraiser

Sunny South News Photo by Kristine Jean. FOR NEW HALL: St. Ambrose Church in Coaldale is holding a family-friendly Oktoberfest-themed fundraiser on Oct. 4 at the Civic Square Plaza to help raise funds for a brand new hall that will be used for both church and community events.

By Kristine Jean
Sunny South News

St. Ambrose Catholic Church in Coaldale is inching closer to its fundraising goal of $1.2 million that’s needed to build a brand new, adjoining hall. 

So far, the church’s fundraising committee has raised $317,000 towards the project and to help raise the needed funds for the new addition, the church is holding two fundraising events – a square foot fundraiser where residents and church members can purchase one foot of the hall and the second is a family-friendly Oktoberfest-themed event taking place early next month. 

“We have a lot of people helping from our church. It gets our church (members) together and gets people out and helping to do fundraising for this project,” said Tracey Nadeau, a member of the church’s hall fundraising committee. 

St. Ambrose Church’s Oktoberfest event is set for Oct. 4, from 4-11 p.m. at Coaldale’s Civic Square Plaza and will include music, beer, and food for purchase. 

One of Coaldale’s newest food venues, Country Kitchen Catering, will be providing a traditional German dish and there will be other food stations serving pretzels, apple strudel and other German foods, that Oktoberfest-goers can purchase and enjoy at the fundraiser. 

Entertainment for the event will include The Windy City from Lethbridge, who will provide accordion music and DJ Applaud Entertainment will provide some traditional German music as well. 

Nadeau said there’s been great community support for the hall project including a letter of support from Coaldale Mayor Jack Van Rijn and the town has also donated the use of Civic Square Plaza for the Oktoberfest event. Local businesses have also stepped up and donated prizes and items for a silent auction, being held during the fundraiser.

“We’re very pleased with the support,” said Nadeau. “We’ve been very blessed.” 

Although there is a hall blueprint, construction cannot begin until all funds are raised, said Nadeau, adding that they will also be applying for government grants, in addition to donations and fundraisers. 

The new hall will not only provide a new, needed space for St. Ambrose Church, but also for the Coaldale community at large. Nadeau pointed out several ways the new hall will benefit both the church and the Coaldale community. 

“It’s for our church as a meeting place … and we want to build a sense of community and let the community use our hall,” she said, noting it could be used for weddings, funerals, family reunions, meetings or other events and celebrations.

  “It’ll also be for people to use their gifts and talents – if someone wanted to have a talent show or if they wanted to do a farmers market or other event. It’s open to the public,” said Nadeau. “It’s for our church but it’s also for the community.” 

Fellow fundraising committee member Ellen Wagner, said the hall will also be used for youth activities, retreats and family meals, as a place to gather, share friendships and fellowship.    

“The hall we build will be a place where our family stories will come to life,” said Wagner  

The new has at St. Ambrose Church is proposed to be about 6,431 square feet and will seat about 275 people. The (wheelchair) accessible hall will also include a kitchen, washrooms and a storage room and will be located on the west side of the church with an additional parking lot. 

To purchase tickets for the Oktoberfest in advance, contact Tracey at (403) 393-4381, Ellen at (403) 634-76877 or Denise at (403) 894-5215. Tickets can also be purchased at the door.