Nearly 500 Boilermakers and guests celebrate Local 146’s 75th Anniversary.
Nearly 500 people attended a banquet at the Enoch River Cree Resort in Enoch, Alberta, Jan. 21 to celebrate Local 146’s 75th anniversary.
“It makes you feel pretty special to be part of an organization that’s been around for that long. Seventy-five years is a good milestone,” said L-146 Business Rep Jason Speer, who led planning for the event. “Most things that have been around for that long have strong roots.”
L-146, which has training centers in Edmonton and Calgary, hosts an annual banquet to honor members’ years-of-service milestones and recognize top apprentices. That event was cancelled for the past two years due to COVID, making the 75th Anniversary banquet even more special.
In addition to honoring service years and apprentices, the event featured remarks from the International, Boilermaker Contractors’ Association Executive Director Sara Scott and other dignitaries. The local also reached out to contractors and service providers for donations and sold raffle tickets for a variety of prizes. Through the raffle, the local raised $4,650 to donate to an area shelter for women.
“It’s important to show that we are part of the community,” Speer said. “We try to give back to the community every chance we get.”
Other highlights were a live band and an Elvis impersonator. Both performed songs from each decade as the program moved through the decades honoring years of service. Guests capped off the night with dancing.
“It was the perfect opportunity to have a party and celebrate the membership,” Speer said, noting that L-146 office staff and L-397 (Canadian Office and Professional Employees union) members Sarah Conklin and Lisa Howard were instrumental in planning the anniversary event.
