Alexis Recreation Advisory Circle

In early June 2010, the Alexis Recreation Advisory Circle (RAC) agreed to assess what residents think about recreation on the reserve, how they are involved, and what they would like to see happen in the future.

Working with their ACE coach RAC members developed a set of questions they asked community residents concerning their recreation involvement, preferences and concerns as well as their ideas and suggestions with reference to the operation, maintenance and planning of recreation on the reserve.

Responses will help to identify the specific community assets, ideas, and dreams and challenges the reserve faces in better accepting the expanded role recreation can play in building a healthy and sustainable community on reserve.

Eighty‐three (83) individuals completed the questionnaire. (44 women, 39 men) They ranged between 10 and 60+ years with sixty‐five (65) respondents between 11 to 39 years.

Consequently, a large majority of people completing the questionnaire are young people some with young families. Questionnaires were distributed to individuals who attended a variety of meetings (August to October) including school classes. Individuals were also asked to complete the questionnaire and return it. Members of the Recreation Advisory Circle went door to door to complete as many questionnaires as time permitted. The exercise provided an excellent opportunity for RAC members to discuss recreation on a one to one basis.

Results from the survey focused on the state of recreation facilities, the dream of a new multiplex facility for the community, the state of current recreation programs, and barriers to citizen participation and engagement.

Great work - we can't wait to see your next steps!

The Trochu Journey

At the one year anniversary of our exciting "Ignite Tour", our town is feeling the impact of the ACE experience. Since our last newsletter reporting, we have seen an active Fall of serious planning, grant applications and fundraising by our pro-active Trails team including individual donations, Town, and corporate/businesses. There are high expectations once the matching grant process is complete!

The Skateboard Park and Family Fun Centre groups are realizing slower momentum, and the benefit of merging all efforts toward making the Trails project a single priority at this time, harnessing all this learning and experience for a future time when these projects are in the works!

The news of our designation as “The Pinkest Little Town in the West” was received in October which recognized the outstanding participation and community involvement in raising the most money during the 14 day "Wild Pink Yonder Ride" for breast cancer. This announcement coincided nicely with the ARPA Jasper Conference where we could share the good news. The Community Building segment was well done by the 11 ACE Communities who contributed their heart-warming stories. I am delighted to see the Trochu Journey six-minute video featured on the ACE Communities website…looks great there!

We have a community gathering booked for January 5, 2011 as a very fitting year- to- the-day reunion where we will have everyone back together for an update and to hear their valuable feedback. Future events are already in the works starting with a New Year’s Eve traditional fireworks display to kick-off what promises to be the best Centennial celebrations ever!

Trochu marks 100 years and we have more community leaders coming forward to help plan this party than ever before. We will update on this as the year unfolds but will just mention that our 2010 ACE Movie in the Park event, promises to be an annual close of school blast for our kids. It is booked to go again as part of the Centennial plans for 2011 and beyond… stay tuned for more exciting plans throughout our big year!

In closing, I think it is worth mentioning that an unprecedented four women ran in the municipal election in Trochu this past fall; two with success at the polls. Personally, I must attribute some of the decision to make this step, to the encouragement and positivity I have felt throughout the ACE experience. Our community, strong and progressive in many ways already, has definitely become even more cohesive, with leadership starting to emerge anew. Our communities will go where we lead and the more tools and skills we can gather and use to this end, the better for all

Update from ACE Leader Val in Trochu

Innisfail Youth Rock!

On October 28^th, 2010 a group of 37 youth and 21 individuals representing organizations working with youth met at the Alliance Church in Innisfail. The purpose was to connect and share, set out priorities, develop youth leadership and work towards building a youth strategy.

The workshop produced a listing of resources available in Innisfail, priorities and bold action steps to move forward. One youth event has already happened and a communication plan for future activities is in the works. Thirty-eight individuals indicated that they would continue working collaboratively towards the priorities. Fantastic work, Innisfail!!!

Here is a vision board from the workshop: