By Sheldon Spackman

New nature trail unveiled at RDC

Oct 15, 2018 | 2:29 PM

An event to celebrate the vision of a sustainable legacy in central Alberta was held at Red Deer College on Monday.

Two years after Nova Chemicals announced its $2 million commitment to RDC and the 2019 Canada Winter Games Host Society, the three partners gathered to each plant a tree at the new Nova Chemicals Waskasoo Creek Nature Walk – an accessible one kilometre loop circling a pond in a natural area just south of the Gary W. Harris Canada Games Centre.

2019 Canada Winter Games CEO Scott Robinson says the tree plantings highlight the great partnership they have with RDC and Nova Chemicals.

“Our part of it is planting trees. We’re planting 2,019 trees across central Alberta as part of our sustainability initiative and this is one of those locations and what a better partnership to show the partnership between the College and Nova and ourselves who’ve made such a tremendous commitment to The Games and to the College.”

Robinson says it’s all about the future, sustainable living and working together.

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“Our partnership with the College and Nova was really a testament to that. We’re very proud of the relationships we have and been able to build and the things we’ve been able to provide and great people and great organizations makes it that much easier.”  

Jim Dixon, Director of Responsible Care with Nova Chemicals says it’s very exciting for them to be a part of the future legacy of both The Games and new Waskasoo Creek Nature Walk.

“It fits well with our company’s desire to be a sustainable organization and create lasting partnerships like we have with the Canada Winter Games hosting committee and Red Deer College,” he adds. “It sends the message to the country and the rest of the community about how important it is for our facilities to live in harmony with nature. Nova is a sustainable company and we want to do things like this to demonstrate why that’s important.”

Chaise Combs, President, RDC Student’s Association feels the Nova Chemicals Waskasoo Creek Nature Walk will benefit the mental well-being of both students and the community at-large.

“Investing in students and their success is the equivalent to investing in the future,” states Combs. “I think that’s what Nova Chemicals has demonstrated here today.”

RDC President Joel Ward says their long-standing relationship with Nova Chemicals, one which dates back to 1984, continues to be an important one.

“Their organization places great importance on community and sustainability, and these are shared values with RDC,” said ward. “We’re honoured to link their recent commitment to our College with environmental stewardship and sustainability, which respects their wishes and will benefit our learners and community members from across the region.”

2019 Games officials say volunteers will be busy planting 140 trees surrounding the pond in the coming days and have also begun planting 2,019 trees throughout central Alberta this year to help celebrate the future legacy of the Games.