Longview Gets Active

Congrats to the ACE Community of Longview who has been recently approved for $1000 from SOGO Active through Communities ChooseWell (Communities ChooseWell is an energizing healthy eating and active living initiative supported by Alberta Health and Wellness and managed by the Alberta Recreation and Parks Association) to run a fitness challenge with both school kids and anyone else who is interested using the Participaction suggestions and calendar. This challenge will run from April 1 until the end of June, culminating with a big party in the Centennial Park on Saturday, June 23 from 1-4 PM.

A second, even bigger bit of news to celebrate is that the ACE community team in Longview has just heard from the Alberta Sport, Recreation, Parks and Wildlife Foundation (ASRPWF) that they have received a $13,500 grant for a 15-week summer exercise program slotted to run in the local refurbished park. This program is entitled GO ME (GO OUT MOVE & EXERCISE) and will entail 3 different classes for 1) Moms and Tots, 2) Seniors, 3) Adults and Youth, three times a week, from June 1 to mid September. The aim is to also purchase some extra fitness equipment like exercise balls, weighted hula hoops and even a small shed to store the equipment in the park.

The final tidbit of info from Longview is that they are planning a Volunteer Appreciation Dinner for all of Longview's Volunteers from all of the groups in the town to be held on Saturday, April 21 during National Volunteer Appreciation Week.

Way to keep the community both active and engaged, Longview! We might be heading your way to participate in those workouts in the park now that the snow has finally said good bye!

Rocky Mountain House makes Diversity a Priority

Kudos definitely need to go out to ROCKY MOUNTAIN HOUSE who recently hosted a community scanning event as part of their work as one of ACE’s ‘Diversity Friendly’ Communities. After compiling and analyzing the overall Scanning Tool results, the following suggestions were made by participants as possible ways of improving the quality of life for its residents.

We at ACE Communities were so impressed with the depth and breadth of their discussion that we are including their complete list here. Great work, Rocky! We can’t wait to see what happens when these suggestions become action items in the community.

And here is the list:

• An initiative that helps residents examine the many faces of discrimination that exist in our community.

• Strong individuals, families, and community. An initiative that looks at and develops ways of making recreation programs and services more accessible for low income individual and families.

• An initiative that would examine and provide additional low income housing spaces for residents.

• Innovative initiatives addressing quality of life issues in the community including anti-social behaviour, examining the idea of community (how it is defined/what we mean by community/who is part of a community).

• Initiatives/opportunities to increase communication both individually and as a group.

• An initiative that would work with specific groups of people to provide worker training.

• Adult Education Opportunities for employers to learn about being leading edge employers.

• The development of an Immigrant Centre.

• Working with the First Nations people and systems. Create ways of collaborating that will build a stronger sense of community as well as increase quality of life/sense of belonging.

• Create opportunities to help visitors and residents understand what actions/attitudes can encourage the sustainability of the natural environment.

Summary

The following project priorities are:

1. First Nations Collaboration*
2. Low income residents.*
3. Ecological Stewardship*
4. Transportation
5. Newcomers
* areas chosen to work on as first priorities


And for more pictures from this fantastic event, click here!