Raise the Roof: Cold Lake’s 784 Wing fights to preserve a piece of military and community history

When you drive past the Cold Lake City Hall, the fighter jets always steal the scene. But tucked just behind them sits a building most people don’t think twice about — until you step inside.

That modest hall, framed by trees and Cold Lake’s history, is home to 784 Wing of the Royal Canadian Air Force Association — a volunteer-run non-profit that’s quietly held this community together for decades. And now, it needs our help.

“We’re a place for the military — both serving and retired — and their families,” said Bonnie-jo Clark, Entertainment Chair and one of the Wing’s most passionate volunteers. “But anyone is welcome as a guest. You don’t have to have served to belong here.”

More than a club — a community hub

What struck me walking through the doors wasn’t the military memorabilia or the framed photos — it was the laughter coming from the kitchen. The Wing is run entirely by volunteers, with no paid positions, yet manages to keep its doors open several nights a week.

Their Friday night suppers have become a Cold Lake ritual. Guests drop by straight from work for fish and chips, burgers, and of course, wings at the Wing. “It’s just casual,” said Clark. “You don’t have to dress up. You can play crib, chat with friends, or come for ‘Wino’ night — it’s like bingo, but with prizes instead of cash.”

The Girl Guides use the basement four to five nights a week, and groups like the UN NATO Toy Run and Ride For Dad call it home base for events. It’s one of those rare places that still feels like small-town Alberta — where a veteran, a teacher, and a teenager can share a table and a story.

A Night to Give Back

To help pay down the cost of the new roof, the Wing is teaming up with Clayton Bellamy for a special fundraiser fittingly named “Raise the Roof.”

“For $100, you get an incredible Chinese food supper, snacks, and a live show with Clayton Bellamy — right here, not an arena, just a cozy, friendly night out,” says Clark.

The event promises all the warmth and charm that the Wing is known for — good food, great company, and a chance to make a difference.

Raise the Roof – A Night with Clayton Bellamy

Date: Saturday, October 25, 2025
Time: Supper at 5:30 PM
Location: 5319 – 48 Avenue, Cold Lake (behind the jets by City Hall)
Tickets: $100 (includes supper and snacks)
Available on Eventbrite: https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/raise-the-roof-tickets-1582862196439

Every ticket sold helps the Wing “raise the roof” — literally — and keep a cornerstone of Cold Lake’s military and social life standing for another generation.

Why it matters

Step through the doors of 784 Wing and you’ll find the kind of place small towns are built on — familiar faces, volunteer hands, and stories that span generations.

It’s more than a veterans’ club; it’s a piece of Cold Lake’s heart. The roof may be fixed, but keeping that heart beating takes community.

And that’s exactly what Raise the Roof is all about.