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Residual Centennial celebrations funds approved for legacy projects

Trees, public art and a new lighthouse are part of the legacy from last year’s Centennial celebrations.

Trees, public art and a new lighthouse are part of the legacy from last year’s Centennial celebrations.

At their meeting June 9, Sylvan Lake councillors allocated over $65,000 which the Sylvan Lake Centennial Celebrations Task Force had left over after the year-long celebrations.

Following recommendations of the task force, councillors agreed to $5,000 for legacy trees, $28,000 for the lighthouse project and $32,883 for public art.

They also directed staff to draw up terms of reference for a new task force to plan and organize the public art legacy project.

In his report to council, Ron Lebsack, director of community services, wrote, “administration has reviewed the recommendation for the funds and has no concerns or issues with any of the recommendations.”

Task force chairperson Brenda Dale presented her final report to council Apr. 14.

Under the legacy trees heading, her task force’s recommendation was that two burl oak be planted in Lions Legacy Park “to grow tall and strong and frame our new Municipal Government Building”.

Secondly a Centennial Grove be established on 60th Street in memory of founding families. “This can be expanded or carried into new designated sites, throughout town as resident and others may make further contributions in memory of loved ones or family celebrations. A record of contributors to be kept as a historical document by the Town of Sylvan Lake.”

With the lighthouse project, they’d like it to include interpretive information and history of the project.

Dale indicated three members of the Centennial Celebrations task force were willing to follow through with the public art project. Their idea is to commission a piece or pieces of public art that will represent Sylvan Lake’s history.

During her presentation to council, Dale provided an overview of the Centennial celebrations which started with the designation of 50th Street as Centennial Street, a toast to the New Year and our Centennial Year at The Royal Canadian Legion, the first fire in the new fire pit in Centennial Park and fireworks.

Over 80 Centennial history boards circulated throughout town during the year.

The Centennial Jubilee, ten decades of history, was brought to life with theatre, music and dance, followed by a lively afternoon street party.

Rededication of Centennial Park involved 150 kindergarten students enjoying the new open space.

Enhanced 1913 Days celebrations included great participation over three days. The chamber of commerce Dance of the Century provided a chance to reminisce about dance hall days with a variety of entertainment, a chili cook-off and Cobb’s Clothing’s 100 years of fashion.

The 1988 time capsule created 25 years ago by the Peer Support Team was opened.

A community picnic was held in Centennial Park, “a wonderful Sunday of music and games for all ages, organized by the Ministerial Association.

The new Municipal Government Building was opened and the historical legacy art piece featuring personal contributions by Grade 7 students was unveiled.

A celebration of Alberta Culture Days, Sylvan Lake style, featured local talent in the first public art contest and show of student art in the new council chambers. Music students from House of Music performed in Lions Park Gazebo. Other events included Jack Smalley’s hands-on workshop “restore the pergola” and a public viewing of the 1988 time capsule items.

There was also a preview of the 2013 time capsule created by the 2013 Youth Advisory Council.

“Many clubs held their own Centennial events. The seniors’ historical play, Lions Club, curling club, Centennial quilts by the quilting club, the chamber of commerce and a marathon birthday run, the Archives historical calendar, Community Partners’ Centennial cookbook, the library challenged us to read 100 books in our 100th year,” Dale said.

To determine what projects to include for the continuing legacy, the task force used six criteria, she indicated. They had to be representative of our history or Centennial; provide a lasting legacy or value to the community (stands the test of time); build on our environment, culture, recreation or beauty; be available to all citizens; could leverage or serve as a catalyst for other projects; and include an educational component.