Towns of Penhold and Sundre win provincial Excellence Awards for initiatives

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The Penhold & District Library (#1 Waskasoo Ave), nominated by the Town, was honoured for their “Adventure Awaits Summer Reading Program” that offered a traditional library program in an innovative way with the goal of connecting people during the pandemic.

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“We are thrilled to see innovation and excellence in public library service being recognized alongside other municipal services and would like to congratulate [the] Penhold library board,” said Alberta Minister of Municipal Affairs, Rick McIver in a release to the Board.

The provincial Program Booklet explains that the Library reinvented their Summer Reading Program by taking it directly to children and families during the summer of 2021, when in-library programming was restricted. It states that library staff brought weekly adventure-themed stories, games, activities, song and dance and crafts to front lawns of individual family homes, day homes, and daycare facilities in the Town and in Red Deer County. Participants were also encouraged to track how much time they spent reading, with every 20 minutes rewarded with a bead to add to a lanyard, for a visual representation of their summer reading journey.

According to a provincial video of the program, the library staff travelled 684 km, made over 600 visits to 179 children and gave more than 700 beads adding up 14,000 minutes of reading. Feedback by parents, grandparents and caregivers claimed to enjoy the personal element that brought hope, joy and a sense of togetherness during a difficult summer.

McIver added in his announcement that the program was, “an innovative approach to a traditional library service that allowed children and families to experience social connection and critical literacy development despite the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic.”

Penhold Mayor Mike Yargeau says the primary goal of the Minister’s Awards program is to share great ideas from around the province.

“We are so pleased to have Penhold & District Library recognized for their innovation and determination to deliver great programs,” he said.

MUNICIPAL

The Town of Sundre was the sole winner in the 2022 Smaller Municipalities category with populations less than 5,000, for their initiative demonstrating leadership, resourcefulness and innovation to better the community.

The Booklet states that most communities in the province use a traditional lagoon to treat wastewater. While inexpensive, they say it can take up to 200 days to treat. The “Town of Sundre Wastewater Project” uses advanced technology to create efficiency and last longer than a lagoon, to have a smaller footprint and treat raw sewage in less than 60 minutes.

Town of Sundre Wastewater Project (2022 Minister’s Awards for Municipal and Public Library Excellence Program Booklet p. 17)

READ: Sundre wastewater treatment plant gets $7.5 million from Alberta government

Other central Alberta nominees for various categories included:

• City of Lacombe – “Intermunicipal Monitoring of Community Peace Officers for Safety and Compliance” : Partnership Category
• Town of Backfalds – “Eagle Builders Centre”: Partnership Category
• Town of Sundre – Library Board “Take and Make for Mental Health”: Public Library Services Category (serving under 10,000 population)
• City of Lacombe – “Temporary Patio Policy”: Red Tape Reduction Category
• City of Red Deer – “Digital Transformation of Road Maintenance Using ROVER AI”: Service Delivery Enhancement Category