The demolition of Estevan’s Civic Auditorium began Tuesday and I must say that I am sad to see it go. From countless rec. hockey games to cheering for the Bruins with my family, I have a lot good memories tied up in that old building.
However, this is not completely unprecedented in my life as several old buildings that were significant to me have met the same fate.
The Civic Centre (commonly known as “The Crushed Can”) in my hometown of Moose Jaw was an important part of my childhood. I can still remember looking through the lobby doors and seeing the white ice surface below with the colourful seats rising to the ceiling high above.
Watching the Moose Jaw Canucks and then the Warriors in that building was a magical thing to me. Sadly, the Civic Centre met the wrecking ball in 2012.
Western Christian College, where I received my bachelor’s degree, used to occupy several old air force buildings in north Weyburn. Though some of the buildings still exist and are being used for other purposes, most of the structures and even the school itself are long gone.
Even the venerable stadium at Taylor Field could not stand forever. I went to my first Rider game when I was 12 years old and I could show you the exact seat, if it still existed. Everyone who has been to the new stadium tells me how great it is, but part of me that misses the good times that I had at the old one.
And those are just buildings. Do not get me started reminiscing about the people, events and milestones that have come and gone. As I get older, I am reminded more and more that things change whether you want them to or not.
Admittedly, to this point, this article has sounded sort of depressing, but there is another side to the story. As Paul reminds us, “Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal” (2 Corinthians 4:16-18).
Nothing lasts forever, but that is OK.
This world is not our home anyway.
