Danceland at Manitou Beach will host a homecoming on Friday and Saturday. (Angie Rolheiser/northeastNOW Staff)

By Angie Rolheiser

Danceland

Organizers for Danceland at Manitou Beach less concerned about water levels ahead of homecoming

Jul 18, 2019 | 1:37 PM

Saskatchewan’s famous dance hall with a horse hair floor at Manitou Beach will host a homecoming this weekend.

Danceland has survived 10 years of high-water levels at Little Manitou Lake and still stands to be part of the centennial celebrations that are continuing throughout the summer in the resort village.

Owner Millie Strueby said the building was severely damaged by high-water levels but fortunately that doesn’t seem to be a threat at this time.

“The last two years, we did not seem to have too much of a spring runoff so the water is going down,” Strueby said. “Although these rains of course, keep the water level where it is now.”

Water levels are less of a threat after a low spring runoff at Little Manitou Lake. (Angie Rolheiser/northeastNOW Staff)

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Last fall, an engineer group jacked and leveled the floor and was then secured for the winter.

“There was a difference of about 12 inches from one end of the building to the other, so it was sinking,” Strueby said.

Phase two of repairs are on hold as the ‘Save Danceland’ committee that was holding galas to fundraise to make repairs no longer exists.

The committee was able to raise over $30,000 for phase one in about a year’s time. The remaining repairs that will eventually need to be made will come with a price tag of over $300,000.

Saskatchewan country music star, Blake Berglund performed at a fundraising gala at Danceland last November. (Angie Rolheiser/northeastNOW Staff)

Regular dance operations will still continue throughout the year.

“Manitou Beach is known for having the big dance hall and always has,” Strueby said. “I do still have a lot of big dances here.”

Dance numbers seem to always have different contributing factors such as the weather and the campers at the lake, according to Strueby.

There was boost in visitors to the dance hall last weekend with the ‘big float’ underway at the Little Manitou Lake. Over 1,600 people gathered to set a record for the most people floating in the lake at one time.

Danceland hosted a sold-out fundraiser on July 12 ahead of the float event. Now, the famous hall will host bands this Friday and Saturday as part of the homecoming.

Strueby said she also gives quite a few tours to people wanting to check out Danceland and its history at Manitou Beach. That, on top of the many events that take place each weekend, keep her and her husband busy.

Dance remains alive and well in the village for residents, visitors and the owner of 18 years alike.

“We just hope that people keep on coming because this is the last big dance hall,” she said.

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angie.rolheiser@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: @Angie_Rolheiser