This week's Live@Lunch, organized by Downtown North Battleford, was more than just a chance to lounge in the park, indulge in a barbecued treat and listen to some great music. It was also an opportunity for an announcement about an upgrade to the site.
Mayor Ian Hamilton welcomed everyone to Central Park Wednesday at noon and announced the North Battleford Business Improvement District Executive Director Lisa Kissick and the board has been successful in obtaining a large grant to rehabilitate the fountain area of the park.
The grant comes from Co-op Community Spaces foundation in the amount of $89,000 to "transform this area of Central Park into something more useable," said Hamilton. "There will be a lot more activity around here and this will be a go-to place."
While Discovery Co-op is not a member of the downtown BID association, Hamilton said, Discovery Co-op "is all about community."
Mike Nord, manager of Discover Co-op, handed over the cheque, saying Community Spaces is a program administered by Federated Co-op on behalf of the 200 retails across western Canada.
"They have a pool of funds this year of $1.5 million, being given out to about three dozen communities," said Nord.
He said Discover Co-op is excited that North Battleford was one of the chosen communities.
"The park will be used for everyone every day, things like outdoor concerts and festivals, so we are very, very excited to be a part of that," he said.
Kissick said, "We've looked at this park for a long time and thought how can we make this function better, how can we take a bare and broken down fountain and turn it into something that is a functional space for, not only Live@Lunch, but festivals, for any other user groups to take this space and really own it."
She added, "To be able to tear out what's no longer functioning for our community and put in something new that everybody can use, that will be a multi-seasonal park as opposed to just a summer usage park, is really, really exciting for us."
Kissick also noted North Battleford was the second largest Community Spaces grant recipient this year by a substantial margin.
"We are really fortunate to have the Co-op onside with us and supporting us," she said. "They are not part of our downtown BID association, but they see the value in supporting their community and supporting downtown. A thriving downtown is the indication of a thriving community."
Kissick said the design plans are not complete yet, but work should start in August. There are a few details to be worked out yet, due to some lighting changes and colour schemes to be considered, she said. Once that's all done, the design plans will be revealed. According to an announcement on the Co-op Community Spaces website, the old fountain will be replaced "with a new surface splash park area. In addition to the splash park, the space will host outdoor concerts, festivals and other events."
Local musician Jeremy Grey entertained during Live@Lunch with some of his own songs that he plans to record and some covers. Originally from North Battleford, Grey has recently returned from living in Vancouver, B.C. to take up residence in Meota. He has been hosting an open mike at The Downstairs, located in the basement of Porta Bella Restaurant, for about two months, and during that time has been amazed at the amount of talent in the area. He was also involved in Northstock, a music festival held in North Battleford on Canada Day.
This edition of Live@Lunch was sponsored by Travelodge and North West College held a fundraiser barbecue.
