We have the potential to bring home $150,000 for a unique to Yorkton project that will benefit local teens and residents for years to come - all we need to do is to take the time to vote.
A local group has taken it upon themselves to spearhead an effort to win a national contest and if successful, it will bring both a new park setting to the city and a permanent home for a new skate park.
The contest is called the Aviva Community Fund (www.avivacommunityfund.org). Each year communities select a project, send in their ideas and then after a voting process and panel selection, winning projects are rewarded with funding. This year Yorkton is taking a shot at the final prize.
Proposed for Brodie Avenue, where flooding caused significant damage, the plan is to create a catch basin for water, a walking track and a new skate park.
"The initial intention of the project is to make a catch basin to prevent future disasters such as the July 1st storm from crippling our city's downtown sector again," says the proposal sent in to Aviva. "The project will also involve rebuilding the entire block into a "green park" area consisting of a walkway and skateboard/bike/roller blade park. The skateboard/bike/roller blade park portion is an area where the funding is falling short. We have taken it upon ourselves to meet with city council and various city department heads to spearhead this initiative and get their support for the Aviva Community Fund contest.
"This park isn't just for skateboarders, bikers and roller-bladers; it's for kids to develop physically and mentally. It's for family, especially parents and grandparents to get out and watch and support their children as they grow.
"But most of all it's to allow kids to be kids, while they can!"
It's a great idea and there's a very real chance Yorkton could benefit from this. The effort has been put forward, all we need to do it to step up and lend our support.
Let's get voting Yorkton! We only have until October 19. Visit: www.avivacommunityfund.org/ideas/acf11570.
