‘We’re not even done yet’
Wellness center, community complex opens in White Shield
By JAMES C. FALCON
editors@bhgnews.com
The oldest established community center on the Fort Berthold Indian Reservation opened its doors at its new location Friday in White Shield.
Throngs of community members walked through the doors of the new Ralph Wells Complex, a state-of-the-art facility that will serve as a new hub of the community.
The building, which includes the Arikara Fitness & Recreation Center, is open to all, including those on and off the reservation, noted councilman and East Segment representative Fred Fox.
“It is a place for everyone to come to,” Fox said. “If you’re a fitness fanatic, you have a state-of-the-art facility for weightlifting. If you’re an aerobic fanatic, it has the state-of-the-art facility upstairs with aerobic equipment.”
In addition to a basketball court and track, the building includes two golf simulators, a water park that will be open year round, and a movie theater.
The building opened full time Saturday.
“It has something for everyone to use,” Fox said. “It’s a long time coming.”
The old building, located on the south end of White Shield, was built 50 years ago, Fox said. In that time, it was the venue for so many events in the community, such as powwows, ceremonies, funerals and wakes.
Ralph Wells Jr., for whom the building was named, was a community member and former chairman of the Three Affiliated Tribes. Wells first served on the Three Affiliated Tribes Business Council as its treasurer from 1950 to 1952. He then served two consecutive terms from 1960 to 1964, followed by a term as its secretary from 1968 to 1970.
