The federal government and McDonald’s are contributing over $29,000 to purchase new play equipment for the Westlock Rotary Spirit Centre.
Westlock-St. Paul MP Brian Storseth was at the Spirit Centre on Tuesday to present a cheque for $14,389 to the Town of Westlock. The grant was awarded through the Community Infrastructure Improvement Fund (CIIF), and McDonald’s also provided matching funds of $15,000.
The money will be used for the installation of indoor play structures and resilient rubber tiles in the child minding area known as Kali’s Korner.
Storseth jokingly noted he has been “hounded for years” by town council about contributing grants towards the Spirit Centre.
“I’m happy to be able to actually be here and provide some money for this facility,” he said. “This is a small portion, but I’m sure we’ll be able to match more programs like this in the future.”
He noted it’s important to have all levels of government working together and to have local industry committed to these projects.
“I just congratulate you guys for having the foresight to do this,” he said. “I hope we’ll get to partner up many more times.”
Coun. David Truckey said this has been a partnership that’s been in the making for a while now.
Stating that the Spirit Centre is becoming the “jewel of Westlock,” he said this facility would not be possible without the efforts of the Spirit of Westlock Foundation and folks like Wayne Peyre and Liz Roberts.
“Every time you walk into the facility, it’s certainly something that you just beam with pride and excitement over,” he said. “This opening and presentation is just another jewel in the crown of the Rotary Spirit Centre.”
Teri and Perry Rebagliati, owners and operators of the Westlock McDonald’s, said they were just happy to be part of the community and as business-owners, it’s their responsibility to give back.
They thought granting funds towards Kali’s Korner was a great fit, Perry said.
“To be able to hear that it is being leveraged for a matching grant is great,” he said.
Perry added that they’re in the centre about “25 times a week” and they have a one-year-old grand-daughter who’s sometimes in Kali’s Korner.
The child minding area is named for Kali Boulerice, the daughter of Cory and Lisa Boulerice.
She passed away in 2006 due to an inoperable brain tumour at the age of five.
