A project seven years in the making was finally realized yesterday when the first residents moved into the new Pleasant Valley Lodge.
The community of Athabasca once again displayed its unending generosity when donations to add additional furnishings and décor to the facility flooded in.
Lionel Cherniwchan, Athabasca’s municipal representative on the Greater North Foundation, which owns the lodge, said the response from community clubs and organizations to a letter requesting assistance was ‘overwhelming’.
Cherniwchan sent the letter to local clubs and groups requesting some help with putting the last finishing touches to the lodge, a modern 52-room facility, built at a cost of more than $13 million.
“The response is really touching,” he said. “This is a great community.”
“We sent the letter to clubs and organizations, not to businesses. All of a sudden, I was getting all these calls. The response was overwhelming.”
Organizations and clubs of all sizes chipped in, he added.
The funds and donations will be used to add furnishings and items like televisions to the lodge.
“It will be used to buy things which will really enhance the quality of life for lodge residents,” explained Cherniwchan.
Cherniwchan gave members of Athabasca Town Council a tour of the lodge ahead of the arrival of the first residents on Thursday.
“We’re all getting very excited,” he said.
