Thanks to a generous donation by the Central Alberta Co-op, Blackfalds will soon be building new community park.

As part of their Community Spaces Program, Co-op donated $25,500 to the Blackfalds District Agriculture Society to use towards the Denise Nielsen Memorial Park, to be built on the north side of the Wadey Centre.

Along with the Ag-Society and Co-op, Blackfalds Historical Society, Blackfalds District Chamber and Commerce and the Town are all providing funds to build the park to honour the late Denise Nielson, who was heavily involved in the recent growth of the community.

Acting President of the Ag-Society Wayne Tutty said they’re extremely grateful for the donation allowing them to go ahead with the park.

“She affected a lot of people in town, so it’s a great a tribute. Rather than having a generic park with a generic name, it’s nice to associate it with a person that has done some benefits to the community.”

The Denise Nielsen Memorial Park is scheduled to be complete by the fall. 

Central Alberta Co-op also donated $25,000 to the Innisfail Public Library for a new community garden which will provide opportunities for residents to learn about nutrition, gardening and the needs of the local food bank.

Medicine River Wildlife Centre received $133,000 for a new playground addition to the organization’s new interpretive centre and wildlife hospital which will feature interactive, wildlife-themed play structures as well as educational materials.

“The goal of our education program is to help people understand and live with our wild neighbours and this new playground will be the crowning jewel to the new wildlife hospital and education facility,” said Carol Kelly, Executive Director with the Medicine River Wildlife Centre.

Chief Executive Officer for Central Alberta Co-op Gerald Hiebert said it’s important for them to give back and this is just another example of their generosity.

“Co-op’s are community and community is Co-op and without our community people and leaders in our communities and all of those who live and patronize our stores we wouldn’t survive. So, as Co-op’s always are, we give back through the allocation of profits and we also give back through donations such as this.”

Co-op Community Spaces is a funding program supporting recreation, environmental conservation and urban agriculture projects.

The program was launched in 2015 and has provided $4.5 million to more than 60 projects across Western Canada.