The Town of Westlock will receive just over $50,000 to help celebrate its centenary next year thanks to the federal government.
On July 24 the Department of Canadian Heritage officially announced $53,100 of funding for the 100-year anniversary celebrations under the Building Communities Through Arts and Heritage program.
The cash will be dolled out over two years with $12,600 in 2015-16 and the remainder, $40,500, coming in 2016-17.
The funding will help fund a number of activities planned throughout 2016 and beginning on Jan. 1. Some of the events include musical and dance performances, historical presentations, community art projects, theatrical presentations and art displays.
Westlock-St. Paul MP Brian Storseth, who made the announcement on behalf of the department of heritage, said he was pleased to see such funding in place to celebrate Westlock’s milestone.
“Supporting important anniversaries such as this reaffirms our government’s commitment to honouring our past and celebrating our heritage here in Alberta,” Storseth said.
“I am thrilled to see support for the Town of Westlock’s centennial and am looking forward to participating in the festivities.”
Mayor Ralph Leriger said the funding will allow the town to properly celebrate its milestone.
“2016 will be an exciting year for our community as the centennial committee is busy planning events to celebrate the history of the Town of Westlock,” the mayor said. “It is Canadian Heritage’s funding that will allow us to host multiple events throughout the year and celebrate our community’s history and pride.”
The minister of Canadian Heritage, the Hon. Shelly Glover, said allocating funding to celebrate the anniversary is important to honouring Canada’s history.
She also extended her congratulations to the town on its upcoming milestone.
“Our government is proud to support local commemorations and celebrations across Canada. Honouring our nation’s history and heritage is especially important as we move closer to the 150th anniversary of Confederation in 2017,” Glover said in the news release.
“I offer my congratulations to the Town of Westlock on 100 years of growth and prosperity.”
