Leduc Co-op is pitching in to help rejuvenate a playground in Drayton Valley.
The Eldorado Elementary School has received a $40,000 donation through Co-op Community Spaces, a funding program supporting recreation, environmental conservation and urban agriculture projects.
“The funds will be used to renovate the school’s playground. With new fencing, play structure and landscaping, the existing, underused space will become a vibrant, engaging area for youth throughout community,” said Rick Polasek, general manager of Leduc Co-op with Jennifer Landers representing the Eldorado Elementary School, Wild Rose District.
In 2017 — with Canada 150 just around the corner — individual projects were eligible to receive up to $150,000 through Co-op Community Spaces.
In total, 27 organizations are being supported through the program this year. Combined, these groups — which include non-profits, charities and community service co-operatives — have received $2 million for their community projects.
Since launching in 2015, Co-op Community Spaces has provided $4.5 million to more than 60 projects across B.C., Manitoba, Saskatchewan and Alberta.
“Co-op Community Spaces is an exciting program that is making a difference across Western Canada and we’re delighted to see it come to Drayton Valley,” said Rick Polasek, General Manager, with Leduc Co-op. “Leduc Co-op is supported and owned by members and customers throughout central Alberta, so it’s important that we give back and make investments in our community and people, which is what Co-op Community Spaces is all about.”
Co-op Community Spaces is administered by Federated Co-operatives Limited on behalf of more than 190 independent retail co-operatives across western Canada that form the co-operative retailing system. For more information, including complete details about the 2017 Co-op Community Spaces projects, see www.communityspaces.ca.
Leduc Co-op is a retail co-operative that has proudly served Leduc and surrounding area for more than 60 years. Today, Leduc Co-op serves over 24,060 members — and many more customers — in Leduc, Nisku, Calmar, Drayton Valley and surrounding communities, where it operates 10 locations offering a wide variety of products for both urban and rural use . In 2016, Leduc Co-op returned more than $3.2 million to its members in cash back and equity, while also contributing many dollars to community organizations and initiatives.