Thursday, October 26, 2023
MERIDIANSOURCE.CA
VOLUME 6 I ISSUE 18
Schneider sizes up lifetime award GEOFF LEE STAFF WRITER
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Nobody wins the Lloydminster Chamber of Commerce Lifetime Achievement Business Excellence award in their first year of business, but that’s where it all starts. Th at ’s t h e c as e fo r Dave Schneider, a longtime owner of downtown’s Cliff Rose for Clothes, as the 2023 recipient of the coveted award at the Lloyd Ex last Thursday evening. “I started in 1990 when Cliff gave me a call. I didn’t think I’d be here that long, but I’m still here 33 years later,” Schneider said. Schneider was chosen as the recipient by chamber president, Blaine Stephan, as one of the president’s favourite annual roles. “I didn’t have too much trouble to make this decision and I’ve kept it under wraps,” he told the audience. “There’s been an impressive list of recipients over the last 20 years and I take pleasure in introducing you to this year’s recipient.” Schneider’s name was revealed seconds later in a narrated video that
captured the moment. “Tonight, we gather to celebrate the man who seamlessly weaves the threads of business acumen and community, a man whose presence has profoundly touched the lives of many,” said the video. Schneider and his wife, Angela, raised four daughters and he is the grandfather of eight grandchildren with a ton of relatives on hand for his big night. “It’s great. I’ve got my daughters here. My dad came and my brother and sister-in-law came in from Saskatoon,” he said. “Unfortunately, my wife’s not here, she’s got some pneumonia going on today, but it’s just great to have everyone here. We’re a big family. We’ve been here basically all our lives, so this is home for us.” Schneider says it’s an honour and a little humbling to receive the award. “I don’t know if you think you’re getting old because it’s a lifetime award, but it’s been a great life and I love to volunteer,” he said. Schneider has a long history of volunteer-
Synergy Place generating hype GEOFF LEE STAFF WRITER
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Geoff Lee Meridian Source
Dave Schneider, left, owner of Cliff Rose for Clothes, was chosen to receive the Lifetime Achievement Business Excellence Award by Lloydminster Chamber of Commerce president Blaine Stephan, who congratulated Schneider at the Lloyd Ex last Thursday night.
ing for past and present organizations such as the Jr. B Bandits and Bobcats hockey teams, the Lloydminster Region Health Foundation, The Olive Tree, and the Fellowship Gospel Church, among others. “It’s what the community does for us as well, like my family, my business— this community is giving all the
time, so we have to give back as well,” explained Schneider. When it comes to the business part, he said, “Like everyone else, we’re trying to get through what COVID brought on.” “It’s an ongoing process all the time, but we have great supporters in this community.” CONTINUED ON PAGE 2
It’s Synergy Place by the numbers. The new Lloydminster Comprehensive High School (LCHS) gym will have two fullsize basketball courts, three volleyball courts and eight courts for badminton. The gym space is 12,800 sq ft. with an adjoining 1,500 sq. ft fitness area and bleachers to seat 400 spectators. There is also a second-floor viewing area that spans the north wall of the gym and will be equipped with two large LED scoreboard screens. These stats and facts came to light during a media tour of the new facility on Tuesday, led by Lloydminster Public Division (LPSD) facilities manager, Wayne Grassl. “We’re hoping to have full occupancy by Feb. 1. Construction is around 90 per cent going by how much the spend has been. We’re definitely in the finishing stretch,” said Grassl. “Almost every trade
would be in the finishing stages right now doing things like putting receptacles in walls, putting ceiling tiles in and finishing painting.” Matt Read, chief financial officer at LPSD, is looking at a grand opening in early March. “We’ll obviously be in and using it first,” said Read. “When we get the minister (education) out, we want to show him the space is used and the funds we received are put to use.” The new gym will support the LCHS Barons’ curricular and extra-curricular athletics and community rentals. The gym is part of a $30 million addition and renovations at LCHS with public usage of the gym outside of school hours a big part of the plan. “I know the Rustlers volleyball program is already planning some tournaments here. There will be more gym space and fitness space in the community,” said Read. CONTINUED ON PAGE 2