Congratulations to ACE Leader Cathy O'Donoghue

Partnering and opportunities have created a buzz for Irricana. The Town of Irricana got a tip o’ the hat from the province, April 30, for its initiatives to promote healthy eating, physical activity and social interaction. “We are honoured by this recognition,” said Cathy O’Donoghue, the Town’s community services officer.

The Alberta Recreation and Parks Association awarded communities from across the province as part of the Communities Choose Well 2008-2009 initiative at a ceremony held in Okotoks. “Communities Choose Well continues to be a popular way for communities to involve their residents in a wide range of fun and healthy activities,” said Dr. Raj Sherman, parliamentary
assistant for Health and Wellness. “For the second year in a row we are encouraged to see an increase in the number of communities that took up the challenge to eat healthy, be active and engage in positive social pursuits.” A total of 26 communities were recognized in Alberta, out of a record 162 participating communities.

It takes a few determined people to zero in on a good initiative and bring it out to the community where it can spread like wildfire, O’Donoghue said. “In whatever we do, partnering with everyone is key,” she said. O’Donoghue added Irricana is well equipped with a whole network of community organizations and a volunteering tradition such as the local firefighters. “The organizations in our community are great,” she said.

Irricana’s initiatives include a Pitchin annual event, which collected 100 bags of garbage from roadways and park areas last year. The local youth centre The Crib provides nutritious food and creates events such as healthy Halloween, while providing entertainment options that include physical activity. To that end, the local council has promoted a ‘stay fit while having fun’ approach, by approving the purchase of equipment such as table tennis, air hockey, a bubble hockey game, and a Nintendo Wii video game system.

Irricana has also been developing an electronic information board, a flooring system for the curling rink and a trailhead park under the Active, Creative, Engaged (ACE) community initiative. Recognition was also given to the Town of Chestermere, for its Youth Encouraging Lasting Leadership (YELL). The Town council assumed the role of planning, developing and building a bike park. YELL has been successful in communicating with the public, the local government and community groups. Peer communication also played a critical part in gathering youth of all ages to the park.

Serving Albertans since 1952, the Alberta Recreation and Parks Association is a non-for-profit, charitable organization made up of volunteer committees to building healthy citizens and communities through recreation and parks. Active, Creative, Engaged (ACE) Communities is an initiative under the umbrella of Alberta Recreation and Parks Association.