Irricana, Lethbridge and Okotoks, rural Alberta is alive and well!

Have YOU ever been to IRRICANA? As one community leader put it, "they may seem like a one horse town because of the life size bronze statue on main street, but Irricana isn't one dimensional."

The murals lining the streets are as colourful and vibrant as the people. The ACE committee, like a heart, expands and contracts as it pumps blood and oxygen through the community.

ACE began with a few key leaders in town who brought together a large group to decide on priorities. Excitement grew and ideas flew, then plans emerged and the group subsided.

The next beat will again engage others and fill the community with excitement to celebrate progress. As a heart expands and contracts so does the ACE crew, always filled with life-sustaining energy that invigorates the community.

They've purchased a large screen TV which is in the library at the moment, and used as a community bulletin board for upcoming events, community information, celebrating community spirit and involvement.

Two long term projects they're spearheading are a portable flooring system for the curling rink (they have no school or gym) and a trail-head project that connects and links the community as the circulatory system. Irricana is Active!

Accessibility, Action and Advocacy are LETHBRIDGE'S focus. They're building on successes, Go Girl and Family Walks, which encourage community members to move more and build healthy, sustainable skills. Their aim is to increase the reach of these initiatives and to involve the surrounding rural areas. Encouraging involvement from a variety of sectors in the community, they are committed to spreading the word about healthy lifestyles. Look for their new website that is being developed.

OKOTOKS is off and running. The 'Ignite' event where Ian Hill's motivational presentations encouraged individual action and responsibility to spark their growing community. Ian shared Helen Keller's words, "I am only one, but I am one." which resonated with many. We each have the opportunity to be leaders in our community and Okotoks, along with the other ACE communities are definitely opening spaces that encourage others to take a lead role in creating the future that they want to see. A sustainable future environmentally and socially.

Celebrate ACE communities with us as we journey along this adventure!
Karen, ACE coach