Town wins provincial award for healthy eating, active living
AWARD WINNING - Claresholm recently received a ChooseWell Healthy Community Award for "Creating supportive environments" for communities with population between 1,000 and 4,999 people. From left are Marian Carlson, the town's chief administrative officer; Mike Schuweiler, director of infrastructure; and Denise Spencer, recreation manager. Photo by Rob Vogt
The Town of Claresholm has been received a provincial award for its commitment to being a health community. Denise Spencer, the town’s recreation manager, accepted the ChooseWell Healthy Community Award for “Creating supportive environments” at a ceremony on Oct. 25 at Lake Louise.
“I’m quite proud,” said Spencer. The award, offered by the Alberta Recreation and Parks Association, celebrates the efforts and achievements of communities and wellness champions across Alberta in promoting healthy eating and active living and creating conditions where the healthy choice is the easy choice, through recreation and parks.
Claresholm was recognized in the category of community’s with populations of 1,000 to 4,999.
Spencer said the community was commended for a variety of initiatives undertaken by individuals, community groups, and the Town of Claresholm. She pointed to the good food box program, where individuals provide produce to community members; and a variety of community gardens. West Meadow Elementary School held a successful pumpkin festival to raise funds for a barrier-free playground. The Claresholm Lions also worked with the Town of Claresholm for a barrier- free playstructure at Lions Park. The Claresholm and District Chamber of Commerce began work raising funds for two outdoor fitness parks, which will soon become a reality. There was a wide range of activities such as pond hockey at the arena; pickleball at the high school gym and tennis courts; and the formation of a junior lifeguard club.
The Town of Claresholm underwent a branding process culminating in the tag line, “Where community takes root”, and Claresholm and District Family and Community Support Services started a process of generative conversations to address gaps in the community and increase communication. Virtually every corner of the community contributed something to making Claresholm a ChooseWell champion.
“The amount of activity and family-oriented events and progressive thinking within this community is pretty enormous,” Spencer said. “This award wasn’t for the Town of Claresholm,” she later added. “It is for the community of Claresholm. “A variety of initiatives have taken place to create this environment.”