Update from Killam

Heritage Park Renewal

The ACE team continues enthusiasm and focus on phase two of the heritage park renewal project. The park is being used by a broad cross section of the community and a source of pride for many.

The team was and continues to be involved in fundraising to help complete the park. They recently raised over $12,000 helping out with the Red Serge ball, and have another bottle drive underway. They are considering developing a local cookbook as a fundraiser. Seniors had identified this as a potential project for ACE. The team has applied for a federal grant to assist with paving the walking trails.

The outdoor amphitheatre completion has been set for mid June since this time coincides with some other planned community events and their local rodeo. They have desires to be involved with Alberta Arts Days. The team has decided to apply for Society status and elected executive from the existing team. Kari Newby-Fox is the president. Others who have been involved from the start appear to continue to be involved.

Long Term Plan

The recently elected Killam town Council is in the process of updating their MSP which was developed in 2008. The ACE team was asked to provide feedback in the process and a town hall meeting is scheduled to invite and gather public input on May 18. The Killam ACE coaches have suggested that this could be an excellent time to review the results from the 2009 Scan and other discussions on long term desires.

Great work, Killam! We can't wait to see what the future holds...

Forward momentum in Nanton

Check out this fabulous news from Nanton. Their ACE Committee has now identified three ACE initiatives that will carry them through the summer. We love that forward momentum, Nanton!

1) Better Communications & Collaboration

Better Communications & Collaboration was the number one area for improvement that came out of Nanton's ACE Community Workshop in November 2010. How they plan to achieve this is through a community Web Site, which will be a place for ALL community organizations, groups, clubs to post information about upcoming events FREE of charge. The website will be supported by Nanton’s FCSS and the yearly maintenance fees and update costs will be provided from funds raised through on line advertising. They have also put in place an ACE Nanton Facebook page and an ACE Nanton Blog.

2) An event to help raise funds for the Roof Repair on their community Recreation Centre

Raise the Roof Ball Tournament and Dance during Nanton Days (July 30 – August 1). During their Nanton Day Celebration, ACE Nanton will be hosting a Ball Tourney and a Community Dance. Profits generated from these two events will go towards leveraging more funds to assist with roof repairs on their community recreation center.

3) Spring Community Clean-up Day

Annual Spring Community Clean-up Day. This day will bring members of the community together to help clean up their community. The day will end with a Community BBQ at the community centre.

Irricana in the news!

The ACE Community of Irricana is in the news! The town recently launched the grand opening of their newly enhanced recreation cente As part of their ACE Communities intiative, the town purchased movable flooring to convert a curling arena into a year-round recreation facility.

To read more about it, see this link!

Great work, Irricana!

Trochu highlighted in The Capital newspaper

Check out this excerpt from The Capital, the local newspaper in Three Hills. It highlights Trochu's recent fundraising success. To read the complete article see this link!

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Trochu Centennial Trails, in partnership with the Trochu and District Agricultural Society, are excited to announce the receipt of $159,300 from the Federal Government's Heritage Legacy Grant. Crowfoot MP Kevin Sorenson reported the good news on March 24, 2011, to the Trochu Centennial Trails Committee and not only congratulated them on receiving their grant, but complimented them on the strength of their grant, further indicating that it is rare to see an application successful for the entire request. This can be seen as a testimony to the commitment that Trochu has demonstrated thus far to the project and their ability to work together to make things happen.

The Trochu Centennial Trails project is a result of the community's acceptance as an Active Creative Engaged (ACE) community in June of 2009. As part of this process, ACE brought in Ian Hill as a guest speaker in December 2009 for the ACE Community Ignite Tour. This empowered residents to participate in a consultation process, whereby a historical trail system was identified as a top priority during Communities in Bloom Community Engagement process for their new five year plan.

Fort Saskatchewan: Where There's a Will There's a Way!

Not being officially selected as an ACE Partner Community hasn't stopped Fort Saskatchewan from becoming one!

As a result of the efforts of local leaders Jasmine Adams, Community Recreation Coordinator and Barb Bigelow, FCSS Director, Fort Saskatchewan hosted a Community Building Workshop in 2010 to stir up interest. They have also been active participants on a number of the ACE free webinars. Last week they utilized the talents of ACE coaches Susan Roberts and Angie Dedrick to implement the use of the ACE Scanning Tool. To their credit, they also managed to get the Mayor and two Councilors to attend the community meeting and celebration where the scanning tool was used to focus conversations on their community assets and areas for improvement.

Recreation subsidies are already being discussed as a potential solution for getting people active and healthier, areas needing attention will be incorporated within their Municipal Sustainability Plan, plans are underway to hold a "win a block party" contest, and front yard BBQs are being organized for Fathers Day (front yard encourages neighbours to get to know one another).

The Fort is definitely "ACE'ing" it! Congratulations and keep up the great work.

Homegrown Talent Showcase in Sangudo

Sangudo Arts for Everyone (S.A.F.E.) will host the University of Alberta Mixed Chorus and Faculty of Education Handbell Ringers on April 30, 2011. The group, which consists of approximately 70 students, will arrive in Sangudo at mid-afternoon in order to set up for their evening concert. At 5:00 pm, a supper will be provided to the group at the Sangudo Golden Club prior to their 7:00 concert at the SHS Gym. This concert will be free to the public with a Silver Collection being received at the door. S.A.F.E. has arranged 22 homes to billet the students. Community members will drive their billets to their home, provide overnight accommodations, breakfast and a bag lunch for May 1, and return the student to the high school by 9:30 am on Sunday morning. The choir will then resume their tour.

On May 7 from 2 – 8 pm, the school gym will be home to S.A.F.E.’s 1st Annual Homegrown Talent Showcase. The gym will be alive with displays, demonstrations and performances. Artists have rented tables to showcase and sell their artwork. The audience will experience first-hand demonstrations of soapstone carving, pencil drawing, watercolour painting, acrylic painting, and much more. The stage will be graced with dancers of all ages showcasing their talent. Local musicians will fill the air with their music. Tae Kwon Do students will demonstrate how their bodies are used in an artistic fashion. This free family event will delight your senses.

Irricana Recreation Complex Multi-Flooring Project

This Saturday, IRRICANA will officially launch their Recreation Complex Multi-Flooring Project. This project was initiated in 2007 with ACE Communities providing leadership from within the community and the Town of Irricana Administration as well as the seed funding for the project.

With public input, priorities including: 1) the year round utilization of the Recreation Complex, 2) the development of a trail head park and, 3) a communication strategy were identified. Through provincial, federal, and regional grants, along with the generous partnership donations from the Irricana Lions Club, the Irricana Ag Society, and the Irricana Curling Club, the flooring project has become a reality.

Many feel that this addition to the recreation complex will be a much anticipated source of pride as well as an activity hub for the community. Great work, Irricana!