History

The Gleneden community began as a logging road through Salmon Arm in about 1905.  The original settlers were Finnish immigrants who were successful farmers.  Many of their descendants still live in Gleneden.

Community spirit developed early, out of necessity of helping each other with harvests.  Social interaction in rural areas was difficult because of distance.  The original Gleneden community hall was built in 1929 by the Finnish Society and quickly became the focus of community activity.

The "Old Hall" was a single story wooden building with a partial basement which housed the kitchen.  It had gas lamp lighting and was heated by a pot bellied stove on the main floor with a wood fueled cook stove downstairs.  Water was supplied from an outdoor gravity fed 'stand pipe' and the washroom facility was an outhouse.

The Hall hosted many plays, both in Finnish and English.  At that time, there was a local school in Gleneden and Christmas concerts and other social activities were held at the hall.  Events depending heavily on volunteer help from local women who later formed the Gleneden Ladies Club under the leadership of Mary Korpi in 1946.

Recreational badminton was enjoyed in the Hall with lines up the walls for the court, and also included invitational tournaments.  The Gleneden Sports Club, organized in the early thirties, sponsored a variety sport activities such as Ski Tournaments and Ski Jumping on "Boot Hill" only a few yards from the Hall.  Skiers from local and surrounding areas, including Revelstoke, participated.  There was a mini-jump adjacent to the Hall's property.  Cross country racing was also popular with local racers with homemade skis.  Instruction and promotion was done by Eino Jaa tteenmaki, a former Olympian which helped to increase enthusiasm for the sport.  Especially during the "Dirty Thirties", it was an activity that be done locally with very little expense.

Only a few feet from the Hall was an outdoor hockey rink, standard size, made by local volunteers.  Flooded by hand, also kept clean of snow by hand.  In the spring, softball was an enjoyable event with both men's and ladies teams.  The men's softball team traveled to outlying areas to play against other teams.  Because transportation for the team and fans was limited in those days, Pete Arnold's truck supplied this vital service for the price of ten cents per person.  After softball practices, which took place almost every night camp fires were built along the road and the rest of the night was spent socializing with family and friends.

During the latter part of WWII, the Canadian government closed down the old Hall building.  At that time Russia had invaded Finland and the Finnish people fought and defeated the invaders.  Because the Russians had become allies with Canada against Germany, this situation led to the Canadian-Finnish immigrants being classified as "enemy aliens" by the Canadian government and they were not allowed to hold group activities at the Hall.

When the Finnish Society was closed down in 1945, the Gleneden Hall was maintained by the Gleneden Community Association in every aspect except ownership.  When the property went to Tax sale on Sept 30, 1965,  it was purchased by the Gleneden Community Association.  On Dec. 3, 1965 the Gleneden Community Association was incorporated under the Societies Act with a mandate to serve the community.

The Hall was at the disposal of the community and was well used until 1973, when it was devastated by the massive "Eden Fire".  The community pulled together to rebuild their homes and their Community Hall.

The first Roots and Blues Festival organized by Linda Tanaka and her team of volunteers, took place at the Gleneden Hall in 1992.  Over the years the new Hall has been used for events such as Bingo, Cribbage Parties, Fashion Shows, Community Suppers, Moms and Tots exercises, Karate, Dog Obedience classes, Badminton, Shuffleboard, Ping Pong, Line Dancing, Community Dances, 4H Club, Municipal Elections, Public Awareness seminars, and catered events such as Weddings, all with the help of the Gleneden Ladies Club.

In 1995 the Gleneden Community Association was dropped from the register of the Societies Act.  The registration is not required and was expensive to maintain.  However, all regulations and accounting practices are maintained as before.

Just as in the past, social interaction in rural areas is still difficult because of distance.  But now, we also must deal with the fast paced lifestyles which leaves little time for family activities.  The Association provides a group forum for environmental issues of concern to our existing community as we try to responsibly integrate some residential development into our agricultural area.  Our primary concern continues to be providing a place close to home where our community can gather safely for enjoyment and to address the needs of future generations.

Membership fees and costs of functions have been kept affordable so that everyone in the community can participate.  Association members have organized fund-raising events as well as donated their time and labor to maintain the Hall in good repair.

The activities have changed over the years, and the Association is always trying to assess the changing needs of the community in order to serve its residents.

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