Igniting Longview

Igniting seems like a strong word, doesn't? But in Longview and other ACE Communities it is about using a positive event to move communities forward, rather than a catastrophe to bring people together.

Longview had Ian Hill, ACE Ambassador, speak to key groups and the community at large in mid-January.

Local leaders reflected on the day's events and one shared "what an incredible and productive day we all had!!...It has been smouldering but you managed to spark it into a pretty substantial fire! If I had to put it in a picture, this was Longview after you all left" And Michelle Geistlinger provided the fireworks picture.

Michelle continues and shares that "the feedback we have been getting has been excellent with many expressing their extreme gratitude for the opportunity to hear your message and many more wanting to know when you can come back! The very next morning Mayor McCorquindale had an email from a resident offering his carpentry skills free of charge for any main street merchants wishing to spruce up their store front and this person also hopes your message spreads as do we all who were at the meeting."

Michelle added the many residents indicated that they want to be involved in the local ACE group and others saying they will participate when a project is started. Michelle added that "one resident has enlisted a sound engineer to donate a 24 channel mixer and his skills for our Music Tour in June and his design skills for the proposed stage in the park." The Music Tour is the ACE Arts Tour that is being held in rural Alberta starting later this winter.

Needless to say, a community can pull together and focus on working collaboratively without a crisis. That is what rural Alberta communities are doing today.

Celebration for Active Communities!

Late in 2009, leaders from ten communities celebrated the conclusion of their two year commitment as partners in the Alberta Active Communities initiative, and also celebrated their progress in getting more people, more active, more often in their individual communities.

Since the initiative received funding in April 2006, tremendous capacity has been created to support communities in becoming more active. Relationships have been built, networks created, and plans developed to change communities for the better. Projects that range from communication schemes and trail connections, to greenhouses and youth leadership groups, were created by citizens to promote health and quality of life in their communities.

Alberta Active Communities ultimately inspired a funding proposal to Rural Alberta's Development Fund to build upon the initiative's success. With corporate support from EnCana and CanWest Media ARPA received the funding, and as a result, ACE Communities has taken off, now supporting over 50 communities in the province.

Although the Alberta Active Communities project is at an end, the philosophies and strategies carry on through ACE Communities. ARPA would like to congratulate the first ten partner communities: Calling Lake, Camrose, Drayton Valley, High Level, Hinton, Irricana, Lethbridge, Paddle Prairie, Wainright, and Wood Buffalo. They have taken great action to strengthen and broaden leadership, and to get more people engaged and active in their communities.

Leduc County Moving Forward

Leduc County has three villages that it has been working with in conjunction with its partnership with ACE Communities: New Sarepta, Thorsby, and Warburg. Community leaders have worked with local residents determining priorities and it is clear that action has been taken by recent activity.

New Sarepta is now hosting a Community Kitchen. People are able to cook together to create low cost, healthy meals for their families. What an opportunity to learn about some meal planning and have fun at the same time! Food is always an attraction for community building!

Thorsby is focusing on recreation with creating a more up-to-date recreation complex. Likewise, Warburg is focusing on adding needed equipment to their facility.

A county wide event is the "Get Up and Go Girl" workshop being held later in February. All the communities in the county will be included. Young women will have the opportunity to learn about healthy living, sport, and recreation.

Way to go Leduc County!

Lethbridge's journey to a healthier 2010

Lethbridge is a very busy and healthy city in 2010. Not only will it be partnering with Alberta Centre for Active Living (ACAL) to host a presentation on barriers and solutions to physical activity in February 2010, they will also be co-hosting a Physical Activity forum with ACAL in June to promote active transportation.

Also on the plate, is an event with the 'Urban Farmer" Ron Berezan from Edmonton to do a presentation in Lethbridge around edible landscaping and community gardening.

Congrats to Lethbridge for making their city not only active but more environmentally aware!

Healthy Workplace Awards

Kathyrn Badry in Camrose, with the help of her colleagues, has completed an outline for a Healthy Workplace Recognition Award program.

This program will see businesses being presented with support, resources and recognition for contributing to the promotion of a healthy lifestyle in the workplace. The initial lauch of the program was held December 3rd at the annual Christmas social for the Chamber of Commerce.

Way to go Camrose for your hard work at keeping your community active, creative, and engaged!

Youth Training in Calling Lake

Calling Lake's community leader Angela Lightning and 43 residents successfully completed the Handling Food Safely Training provided by Health Services. At least 20 of those involved were youth from Team ACE.

Team ACE will also be operating the concession at the rink in Calling Lake beginning immediately! This is a project designed to help youth find ways of contributing positively to the community while learning a skill and making some money.

Kudos to Calling Lake and their efforts at successfully engaging and training the next generation of ACE leaders!