Cold Lake got to enjoy some provincial recognition as it hosted the Alberta Provincial Communities in Bloom awards for the first time ever.
The program is a non-profit organization aimed creating civic pride and beautification. Communities in the program are judged either provincially or nationally by a volunteer jury of trained professionals.
The City of Cold Lake received a top score of five blooms last year. As the host city this year, it was not evaluated.
“It’s a real honour to be hosting Communities in Bloom,” said Mayor Craig Copeland. “We’re very thankful to the Communities in Bloom Committee for organizing and carrying out the event.”
Special guest speakers were Rhonda and Daryl Sidoryk, who spend their time cleaning up various parts of the community. They spoke about what they do and why they are proud to be part of the community.
Attending cities were the City of Edmonton, the City of Red Deer, the Hamlet of Woking, the City of Grande Prairie, the Town of Bruderheim, the Town of Taber, Saddle Hills County, the Village of Boyle, the Town of Ponoka, and the Town of St. Paul.
“Everyone who was involved did a really great job,” said Greenspace Coordinator Jazelle Robb. “Communities in Bloom is not just about the flowers, it’s about the community as a whole. Everything we did during the event really reflected that.”
The City of Cold Lake currently has 46 garden beds in 18 different locations, 77 planters, and 59 hanging baskets across the city.