The first recipients of the Town of Sylvan Lake’s Façade Improvement Program recently received their grant.
Derold Clark, property owner, and Denise Milne, operator/artist, received $7,500, which was used to improve the face of their recently renovated storefront on Centennial Street.
The Façade Improvement Program is designed to encourage retail and commercial building owners to invest in storefront upgrades, with the Town offering up to $15,000 in matching funds to those who apply for the program.
Storefronts located along Centennial Street are currently open to apply for grants.
In helping to revitalize the downtown and Waterfront Commercial District the program aims to create a more interesting and appealing street environment to attract people and new businesses to the area explained Joanne Gaudet, communications officer for the Town of Sylvan Lake.
“The program is intended to promote the marketability of the local business area, enhance the appearance and charm of commercial area while making streets a more attractive, safe,and interesting place to walk,” she added.
Denise Milne and Darold Clark, who opened Bonavista Fine Art in December 2015, were pleased to have been involved with the program adding they feel downtown is the right option for their business and are pleased with the outcome.
“It was the best building for us,” said Milne on their Centennial Street storefront. “The exterior of your building is what catches people’s eye. I can see the vision for the future of downtown.If everyone was to utilize this program the area would be very eclectic.”
For more information on how to apply to the Façade Improvement Program visit www.sylvanlake.ca/grants.
Milne and Bonavista Fine Arts are also currently hosting an open call for local artists who would like to showcase their work in the gallery. Artists wishing to apply are to email eight high quality images of their artwork to bonavistaart@gmail.com