Prince Rupert will once again be hoping to come out on top in the Province-wide Communities in Bloom Program this year, with the judges coming into town next week.
The local Communities in Bloom Committee is seeking help from locals to help ensure Prince Rupert’s success in the friendly competition.
“The main thing that we hope that the community gains from participation in Communities in Bloom is a sense that by working together. We can change the way we present this City we love to the rest of the world and in turn build community pride, which will help us achieve success. After all communities that look successful are successful,” said Treena Decker, who is the main force behind the Communities in Bloom Committee.
The committee formed back in 2008 and since has always wanted to participate in the Communities in Bloom again, however there
were some previously financial constraints. This year after beautification had been identified as a priority area for a number of organizations, such as The City of Prince Rupert, Community Futures of the Pacific Northwest and other key partners in the Cruise Ship Task Force, Communities in Bloom was an easy initiative to approve this year.
Since 2008, the Communities in Bloom Committee has been reviewing the judges recommendations and compiling information on all the projects and initiatives that have since took place to address some of the recommendations.
The committee has been spreading the word that Communities in Bloom is not just about plants, it is about working together to beautify our own backyards, neighbourhoods, businesses and public spaces while enhancing community and business involvement while acknowledging and celebrating all the aspects about our community and its people that make it unique.
“Communities in Bloom is not about creating new initiatives, rather it’s about showcasing what we do well as a community,” said Decker.
Today, the Communities in Bloom Committee includes a number of representatives from groups such as “Paint it Forward”, Civic Pride, The Prince Rupert Arts Council, The Heritage Committee, The Green Task Force, Community Futures, WWF, Northwest Community College Indigenous Garden, The Sunken Garden Committee, Tourism Prince Rupert, The Prince Rupert/Port Edward Economic Development Commission, School District #52, City of Prince Rupert Public Works, as well as individual community members.
These people volunteering to ensure Prince Rupert is successful with Communities in Bloom have been keeping themselves busy.
“We are hoping they will notice the fresh face that is being put on the community through paint and pressure washing as well as the fun, cultural and heritage elements that have been added to Cruise Ship Night as a result of the Cruise Ship Task Force wanting to tell the Prince Rupert Story,” said Decker, mentioning the interpretation stations, changes to the ambassador program, First Nations Arts elements, the Waterfront Market and the Buskers Program.
“The committee thinks we’ve improved vastly since 2008 and we are sure the Judges will see those improvements too.”
Currently, the group is creating a community profile book that the judges receive, as well as finalizing the judge’s tour for next week. The Judge’s Reception will be happening on July 20, 2011 with the community being showcased to them the following day.
Decker is asking people to help out by partaking in a Civic Pride Clean-up happening on July 19 from seven to nine p.m. with bags and gloves being given away at Mariner’s Park. Additionally, the Committee is looking for meal sponsors and transportation for the judges as well as a sponsor for the judge’s reception at the Museum of Northern BC.
Anyone wishing to receive further information about how to get involved or how to sponsor the Judge’s reception or one of the meals are encouraged to contact Treena Decker at Community Futures of the Pacific Northwest 250-622-2332 ext.23