Ironhead celebrates completion with grand opening

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After 10 years of building and planning, the Paul Band's Ironhead Golf and Country Club, located 20 minutes west of Stony Plain off Hwy. 16 west of Edmonton, finally opened its doors in an all-encompassing grand opening and dedication ceremony June 28.

"We piece-mealed the golf course," said Paul Band economic development manager Arthur Rain. "It was not like most developments have done. We did it in stages."

The 18-hole course, complete with club house, was originally conceived in 1983

as a way to make money for the band by drawing in players and providing employment for band members, said Rain.

Paul Band council, led by then-Chief Ed Burnstick, originally decided to approach the federal government's Native Economic Development Program for funding for a nine-hole golf course, said Rain.

"But it took a long time to get going. We wanted funding to do a study on recreation facilities. The study we did proved that the golf course could be an independent, viable project."

By the time the study was completed, the NEDP had changed into the Canadian Aboriginal Economic Development Strategy, a program shared by the ministries of Indian Affairs, Employment and Immigration and Industry, Science and Technology.

Although NEDP was gone, the band was still able to get Ottawa's assistance, opening the first 9-hole range in August 1988. The "back 9", a second set of holes, opened in September 1991 , fulfilling the council's dream of a quality 18-hole golf course.

But the project is still not complete, Rain said. The club's driving range, still under construction, is scheduled to open this fall.

"As a benefit, the course was intended to be a revenue-generating venture with spin-off employment. It's a big opportunity for band members here. A lot of people are golfing today."