ATHABASCA — The Pleasant Valley Lodge is one step closer to building a new six-figure gazebo and walking path, with Phase 1 tentatively slated to begin this fall.
The Athabasca Lions Club presented a cheque for $1,000 to lodge manager Wanda Loiselle Aug. 11 in front of a small gathering of lodge residents. The funds will go towards a project dubbed the “PVL Resident Park” which includes the construction of a gazebo and gathering area as well as a paved walkway which Loiselle says is aimed at improving the quality of life for current and future residents.
“Any donations we get will be going directly towards that project which we are hoping to accomplish,” said Loiselle. “Once everything is completed, for generations to come, this will be used, hopefully, for our time (in the lodge) as well,” she added.
The project was initiated in the spring, when conversations on what to do with $20,000 raised before the COVID-19 pandemic led to the idea of making the green areas around the lodge more accessible for residents.
Loiselle said the project has received a good deal of community support, with donations from many local businesses in town. “Every little bit helps, whether it’s $10, whether its $1,000, everything helps going towards this project.”
The estimated budget for the full project hovers around $175,000, and Loiselle places the current funds raised since the spring around $15,000. That, in addition to the $20,000 previously gathered, puts the lodge one step closer to its total fundraising goal.
“Residents can have their friends, families, they can plan special get-togethers (at the gazebo). (The project) gets the residents out safely, doing exercise and eventually we’ll have benches. We want the community to come and spend some time with the residents, stuff like that,” said Loiselle.
The first phase of the project includes constructing the gazebo and a small section of walking path, which Loiselle hopes will begin as soon as this September. Phase 2 — encompassing an expanded walking pathway complete with railings and benches — could begin as early as spring 2024. Athabasca’s town council received the initial request for donations, either cash or in-kind services June 20, and moved to request more information on donation specifics for a second time during the Aug. 15 meeting.
Lions Club members Rod Cunanan, Mike Maclean and Mark Sheppard were present for the small cheque-presenting ceremony and echoed the importance of prioritizing community-improvement efforts. “Knowing that this is for our people and our old folks in the community, I think the Club would agree to donate some more in the future,” said Cunanan.
After the club received a letter requesting funding, the decision was made to take from the Alberta Gaming, Liquor and Cannabis (AGCL) Charitable Gaming pool for the donation.
That AGLC initiative allows non-profit and religious organizations to host and oversee events at local casinos and distribute the profits through donations like the one to the lodge — the Athabasca Lions Club received over $34,000 from AGLC in 2022.
“You want to be proud of where you’re living. I’m proud of coming here every day to work and seeing these guys being happy where they’re living. That’s what I want when I become a senior,” added Loiselle.
