Children in Blackfoot will be getting a new playground this summer thanks to community funding, the County of Vermilion River, and Alberta dollars.
The Blackfoot Lions Club, Blackfoot Ladies Club, and community supporters have held the vision and led the efforts for some 20-years. The community hosted an information night on Thursday at which designs by Blue Imp were revealed. The budget for the playground is some $325,000 with the Alberta government putting in $125,000, the County of Vermilion River added in $50,000 and the community is still fundraising a few more dollars to realize its dream for the over 300 kids in the hamlet.Children in Blackfoot will be getting a new playground this summer thanks to community funding, the County of Vermilion River, and Alberta dollars. [Photo: Gerry Lampow 106.1 The Goat/Vista Radio]
Under the grant program in which Blackfoot applied for help, MLA Garth Rowswell saluted the effort as the playground got the maximum amount available.
“There’s a small stream and a large stream. In the small stream, the most you can get is $125,000, and that’s what they got. So, they are the only one of the four that got the max,” says Rowswell.
The grant funding came through under the Community Facility Enhancement Program (CFEP), and Rowswell noted that the community did a great job in making its case in the grant application.
Over the years, the community has run every possible type of fundraiser and Jeff Schonhofer with the Blackfoot Lions is looking forward to the final product when the work is done.
“There are still some details that we need to sort out, but when the contractors show up, it will be July. So, we are thinking the last half of June we will be stripping out the old park.”
He says they are building the new park with the surrounding communities in mind as conversations are ongoing with Streamstown to spruce up the old playground equipment and donate to their neighbours.
Reeve Marty Baker with the County of Vermilion River says he is very happy to see the combined efforts all around with the community raising the lion’s share of the funding.
“The county is very happy to help out these projects that benefit our hamlets and help the families of the community.”
Councillor Jason Stelmaschuk for Division Five which includes Blackfoot said he sees the kids in the community playing in the summer, so the park will be a welcomed amenity.
“There are a lot of young families here that are establishing a new home and they have little kids and this just continues to build that community spirit.”
Gerry has lived in Lloydminster since winter 2010. That detail is important as coming from the Caribbean he did not see green grass until May. Now an Alberta/Western Canada resident, you would be hard-pressed to find a stronger proponent of Lloydminster than the news guy that appreciates a healthy dose of rock music and dress code leather. His mantra is focus on one thing and do it well.
Overall for 2024, on all items, Wainwright comes in at 92.5 meaning its about eight per cent cheaper to buy something in Wainwright compared to Edmonton. Lloydminster comes in at 94.6, meaning prices on average are about two per cent more expensive than Wainwright.
If your regular commute takes you along 40 Avenue, from July 15 you will have to adjust that as Lloydminster road crews will lead road upgrades near the soon to be completed Cenovus Energy Hub.
In the aftermath of the minor fire at Grace United Church, Lloydminster on Thursday July 3, Sunday service has been cancelled as the church deals with cleanup.
With the Lloyd Ex Fair celebrating 120 years, the prestigious role of the Parade Marshals to herald the start of the summer festival are Terence Bexson of Marshall and Lyle & Alison Lee of Lloydminster.
