Please vote for EKC Community Award finalists at grand re-opening

by Keith Powell — March 29, 2011

East Kootenay Community Credit Union (EKC) is excited to announce the finalists for the 2011 Community Award. EKC’s $112,500 four-year Community Award program provides funding to support the innovative and exciting projects in the communities we serve.

EKC members will have the opportunity to vote for the award recipient of $25,000 at EKC Cranbrook’s grand re-opening taking place Friday, April 8, and Saturday, April 9, in the Cranbrook branch. The list of Cranbrook applicants has been narrowed down to five finalists. You can also view their presentation at the ECK's website.

Studio/Stage Door Cranbrook Community Theatre: For their initiative to increase accessibility to the Studio/Stage Door for people with mobility issues. This project includes the provision of stair lifts and an innovative use of space to maintain the building’s historic façade, which will provide greater opportunities for all within our community to experience arts and cultural events.

Cranbrook Community Forest Society: For ecosystem restoration projects, including new state-of-the-art trail maps, kiosk upgrades, maintenance of trails and facilities, more picnic tables and benches and increased natural barricades to ensure a healthy forest and grasslands.

South Star Recreation Trail Enhancement Project: For a groomer to enhance maintenance of the current trails, making the trails easier to groom and safer to use. This project promotes healthy lifestyles in our community.

Key City Gymnastics - Building Healthy Futures Expansion: For an initiative that includes expanding the gym space for gymnastics and other related sports, as well as the development of a community multi-purpose space, meeting room, change rooms, offices and a viewing area.

JCI’s Playground: For an initiative to create a new and innovative adventure park at Moir Centennial Athletic Park. A ‘Ropes and Rocks’ playground design would be the first of its kind in Cranbrook, providing an innovative and safe space for children and families to be physically active.

“On behalf of East Kootenay Community Credit Union, I’d like to thank all the Community Award applicants from Cranbrook,” said EKC board member, Jean Samis. “This program is quite unique in that the recipient of the $25,000 award in Cranbrook will be chosen by EKC’s own members. Hearing from each of these community groups has been inspiring because we realize how much hard work goes on in Cranbrook behind the scenes and makes our community such a great place to live.”

For more information about EKC or the 2011 Community Awards please contact Diane Baher or Harminder Atti at 250-426-6666.