The sun was shining on the Town of Stettler on a warm summer day for the national Communities in Bloom as the two judges toured the town on July 28.
Both of the hosts, the Town of Stettler and Heartland Beautification Committee, were delighted by the great response from judges Lorna McIlroy of Grande Prairie and Joanne Dunphy of Prince Edward Island.
“It’s great to see the efforts that we are doing to beautify the community recognized,” said Rob Spencer, who chairs the beautification committee.
“We appreciate all the people who are helping to clean up our town.”
Competing nationally for the second time last year, the Town of Stettler attained the top rating of five blooms although Dryden, Ontario won the title for communities for a population range from 5,001 to 8,000.
This year, the class has changed to a population range from 3,001 to 7,500 as Stettler contends with Vermilion, the British Columbia communities of Castlegar and Chetwynd, Saskatchewan communities of Humboldt and Kindersley, two Nova Scotia towns of Yarmouth and Windsor and Bay Roberts, Newfoundland and Labrador.
Winners of this year’s competition will be announced and awarded at the national awards ceremonies in Halifax, Nova Scotia on Oct. 30.
Judges were delighted with the beauty of the community.
“I’m so impressed with what I saw,” said McIlroy.
“It’s great that the town is leading by example to beautify the community.”
She lauded the efforts of the beautification committee to forge partnerships with residents and community groups.
“That’s what Communities in Bloom is all about,” said McIlroy, judging for the seventh year.
With weather conditions considered, the town still sparkled after a major hail and rain storm on July 22.“You are coping admirably despite the amount of rain, and the town looks better than we imagined,” said McIlroy.
During the day long tour, the judges visited the new Stettler Community Gardens, the new pergola at the junction of Highway 12 and Highway 56, improvements to various paths, downtown, several residential properties and the new Stettler Sports Park in the west end of town.
The judges’ visit to Stettler ended with a dinner hosted by the Heartland Beautification Committee at the Stettler Recreation Centre, which followed the an assessment session during which the judges privately exchanged opinions and impressions.
Asked about their impressions of the town after the assessment, both judges said they were very impressed with how the town had created links to its origins.
“The rail theme on the sidewalks is admirable,” said Dunphy.
Both judges said they were also impressed with the vitality in the community.
“The town is vibrant, people are making plans for the future and you can feel it as you go through the town,” said McIlroy.
“This is very impressive.”
For more information on Communities in Bloom, phone Spencer at 403-742-7563.