The city's Croatian club is married to the idea of family and community.
While many of the city's ethnic organizations - once a thriving set of associations - have folded over recent years, the Croation collection is still advancing its philanthropy and cultural presence.
A picturesque chapel is the new gem on their property.
Their clubhouse (plus the original clubhouse now used for storage as it awaits renovation) is located at 8790 Old Cariboo Highway. The property was first purchased in the 1950s. According to the recollections of today's club members, a hat got passed at one meeting and enough cash was collected to buy the five-acre parcel of flat farmland alongside the highway.
The clubhouse was wisely constructed in the northeast corner of the property and the expansion clubhouse right beside it. Enough room was left in back to have cozy barbecues, plenty of space for kids to run around and utilize the playground, and still have an enormous front field on which recreational activities and crowd parking can occur.
They were called (still are) the United Croats of Canada: Branch Drina.
"This is the oldest Croatian Centre in all of Canada," said Vince Bulijevic, born in Croatia but now living in Prince George and president of the local club.
"First one in Canada - what a history. Amazing. I remember, too. I came here in 1970 and I had so much fun right here, you wouldn't believe it."
The good times continue. The hall is still used on a regular basis for weddings, dances, barbecues, private functions, even business retreats, and a yard sale from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. each summer Sunday.
The Croatian descendants use it on a regular basis, but it is also in high demand regardless of any ethnic connections to Croatia.
"We have a good banquet hall with a full kitchen, a playground for the kids, and all this great parking, and I really think the new symbol for the Croatian centre with be the new chapel," said hall manager John Greco. "It has all been built by donation. It started in spring. The main building is done and boy is it beautiful. The interior work still has to be completed, and it happens as the labour and material donations allow. The builders feel they will have it totally finished in the next couple of months."
One of Prince George's best known construction figures is spearheading the building of the new chapel. Joe Myatovic is the general contractor on a volunteer basis.
"People don't have dances and parties downtown anymore like they used to. Times have changed," Myatovic said.
"A hall like ours is where people want to have their functions, these days, and having the chapel is a big new step. It will offer the public even more here on this property. You can have everything right here in one place, and it's so beautiful. We had to build a beautiful chapel to go with the beautiful trees and fields."
The next phase in the Croatian Club's evolution is to refurbish the original hall/clubhouse into a space dedicated to children. They have a facility that would easily allow for daycare options, classes, nighttime child-minding services and the like in their unique setting.
"We would like to also partner with our First Nations friends and neighbours," said Bulijevic. "We came to Canada and received nothing but positive welcomes from our First Nations, and that's what happened right here. Good relations. Good friends with First Nations. We want to give back. We really believe in being thankful for our good welcomes here. Croatians believe so strongly in families, and passing on to the next generations. That's with First Nations, too. Always thinking about the future, the land, what we pass on to our great-grandchildren. We want good family connections to continue in Prince George, such a special place."
To make contact with the club, and to inquire about the facilities of the Croatian club, contact Greco at 250-552-2273.
