VANDERHOOF, B.C. – A $75,225 donation from Co-op Community Spaces will help the Stuart Nechako Regional Pool Society complete the new Vanderhoof Aquatic Centre.
Vanderhoof is one of 21 communities across western Canada that will receive contributions from Co-op for their community spaces.
“The Vanderhoof Aquatic Centre Fundraising Group would like to thank Co-op Community Spaces for recognizing the importance of our project to our community. Thank you so much for supporting the future Vanderhoof Aquatic Centre! This amazing support means so much to the community of Vanderhoof, and to the future of the Aquatic Centre.” said, Zoe Dhillon, Chair, of Stuart Nechako Regional Pool Society.
The Stuart Nechako Regional Pool Society has been fundraising for the facility since June 2014. Once finished, the 16,000-square-foot facility will feature a 6-lane Lap Pool, with a large Leisure pool and Hot Tub, providing community members of all ages with an exciting new recreation area.
“All of us at Vanderhoof and Districts Co-op are excited to see the Vanderhoof Aquatic Centre come to life in Vanderhoof, where we know it will be enjoyed for years to come,” said Allan Bieganski, General Manager of Vanderhoof and Districts Co-op. “When you support organizations and environments that foster community, everyone benefits, which is what Co-op Community Spaces is now doing in more than three dozen communities across Western Canada.”
Far-reaching effects
Stuart Nechako Regional Pool Society is one of 21 community organizations to receive funding from Co-op Community Spaces in 2016. This year’s recipients received $1.5 million from the program, which supports community-based recreation, environmental conservation and urban agriculture initiatives.
Since launching in 2015, Co-op Community Spaces has supported 37 projects in Manitoba, Saskatchewan, Alberta and British Columbia with approximately $2.5 million. The program is administered by Federated Co-operatives Limited on behalf of the more than 200 independent retail co-operatives that form the Co-operative Retailing System.
Contest winners span Western Canada
In May, western Canadians were asked to nominate the spaces they love in their community as part of a contest. From thousands of entries, Co-op selected four winners — one in every western Canadian province — who each received $1,000. The four nominated spaces will share $25,000 to support their local initiatives.
In B.C., Co-op will enhance the Gymkhana Grounds in Baker Creek, which were nominated by Natalie Fusztner.
For more details about the Co-op Community Spaces program, see www.communityspaces.ca.
About Vanderhoof and Districts Co-operative Association
Our petroleum operations consist of 4 bulk petroleum plants, with a fleet of 16 petroleum delivery units, 2 lube oil trucks and 15 cardlock locations. Our retail operations consist of a food store, home centre,
2 agro locations, a gas bar/convenience store, and a mini-storage facility. These facilities are located throughout the central interior from Quesnel in the south to Fort St. James in the North, from Valemount in the east to Terrace in the west.
We employ over 150 people within our trading area and have an annual payroll of $7.1 million.
In 2015, we contributed over $105,000 to community groups, charities, non-profit organizations and sports groups.
Our employees are involved in their communities, being members in numerous service groups, sports teams, and charitable organizations, donating their time and energy to making our communities better places to live.