Nechako Lakes MLA John Rustad (left) Vanderhoof Mayor Gerry Thiessen and council member Darren Carpenter (right) stand in Riverside Park with a cheque for $366,436 towards recreational upgrades to Riverside Park.

Nechako Lakes MLA John Rustad (left) Vanderhoof Mayor Gerry Thiessen and council member Darren Carpenter (right) stand in Riverside Park with a cheque for $366,436 towards recreational upgrades to Riverside Park.

Grant received for upgrades to Riverside Park in Vanderhoof

The municipality has received approval of a grant that will see extensive recreational upgrades to Riverside Park.

The municipality has received approval of a grant that will see extensive recreational upgrades to Riverside Park.

A total amount of $366,436 has been received from the province towards an outdoor stage and lighting system, portable washrooms, outdoor fitness equipment and a multi-purpose sports field through the Towns for Tomorrow program.

“The community of Vanderhoof recognizes the importance of cultural and recreational infrastructure in retaining and attracting residents to our community.  We have been working hard to make Vanderhoof a welcoming community for individuals, families and professionals and this project is an important piece in achieving this goal,” said Mayor of Vanderhoof Gerry Thiessen in a press release.

The application for the upgrades was made in January this year. Original plans for the application included a skateboard park, but that idea was slashed in favour of leveling out an area of the land to use as a multi-use field.

Thiessen said he received around 70 emails from the public about the grant, most of which supported the idea of a multi-use field at the park.

“This is the great thing about democracy in Vanderhoof – people got involved in this discussion … I believe only one of them had aprehensions about it…all the rest were in favour,”  he said.

 

Vanderhoof Omineca Express