The town of Mackenzie is getting some upgrades to John Dahl Park after winning the BCAA Play Here contest.
The community finished in the top three after people from around the north sent in their votes, which means they are receiving $100,000 to revitalize its park.
Campaign Organizer Hannah Clarkson says they are putting the money towards building a safe playground for kids but is hoping this will be the beginning of improving other areas in need of upgrades.
“We are hoping eventually we can get the district behind us to enhance the community space as well and get more grant funding and other types of funding from whether it be donations or fundraising campaigns to build something for all ages.”
Some ideas she put forward are a pump track for bicycles, senior exercise equipment, and picnic structures.
Winning this contest shows the need to help smaller northern communities when it comes to playground improvements, says Clarkson.
“You come up in the north and you go to some of these smaller communities that don’t have as much money coming in because we don’t have the population. A lot of their playgrounds are falling into disrepair and being condemned and torn down with them not being replaced.”
She wanted to extend a thank you to all those who took the time to vote and help the community achieve its goal.