The Westlock Community Foundation has announced the recipients of its 2025 community grants with more than $200,000 given to 12 organizations in the region.
Amongst the largest grant recipients were the Fawcett Senior Centre, the Westlock and District Tractor Museum Foundation, the Westlock Gators Swim Club and the Westlock and District Food Bank, who each received $25,000.
The Fawcett Senior Centre plans to use the grant for facility upgrades.
The Westlock Tractor Museum Foundation plans to use the grant for the construction of the harvest building at the site of the Canadian Tractor Museum, which aims to protect and preserve the museum’s collection of vintage harvesting equipment, including binders, threshing machines and combines.
The Westlock Gators plan to use the grant to replace their diving blocks at the Westlock Aquatic Centre which were purchased upon the Aquatic Centre’s opening nearly 30 years ago and are in need of upgrades to meet Swimming Canada’s facility rules and guidelines.
The Westlock Food Bank plans to use the grant for the purchase of food from local grocery stores. The food bank spends an average of $10,000 to $12,000 per month on food to provide for the needs the community.
The other grants include $18,259 to the Town of Westlock for accessible recreational equipment, including two new aquatics walkers, one aquatics wheelchair and twenty skate aids for Aquatic Centre and Rotary Spirit Centre rinks.
The Friends of Vermilion Spring School Society received $15,700 for the spring school restoration, an old school building which is preserved at the Tractor Museum.
The Pembina North Community School Fundraising Association received $15,000 for an outdoor classroom at the school in Dapp which aims to give kids a classroom experience with hands-on environmental and Indigenous education without the distractions of a regular classroom.
The Hope Resource Centre, a domestic abuse treatment centre which assists in trauma-informed counselling, legal advice and support received $15,000 for their Building Empowered Lives With Hope project.
The Edmonton and Area Land Trust received $14,350 for conservation outreach and stewardship, which includes the preservation of the Sundew Conservation Land area in Westlock County, about 16 kilometres east of Vimy.
The Westlock Golf Club received $11,150 for maintenance and infrastructure revitalization. The Golf Club renovated their clubhouse several years ago and recently underwent a renovation of the RV campsite near the course.
R.F. Staples received $8,000 for their agriculture program which gives over 150 junior high students a hands-on introduction to agriculture through farm tours, guest speakers and college tours.
Westlock WECAN, an affordable food distribution non-profit, received $3,000 for distribution support and control.
The community foundation is still accepting micro-grants of up to $500 for its Community Catalysts Grant, which supports local community initiatives which encourage connection, inclusivity and community spirit.
The community foundation is also opening its Youth In Action Grant in the fall, which aims to support youth-led initiatives of youth up to 25 years old and grants of up to $5,000.
All grants were funded by donors to the community foundation through the Community Priorities Fund and other foundation charitable funds.
“We are grateful to our donors for making these investments in local people and places possible,” said community foundation executive director Katie Robertson in a press release announcing the grants. “Whether it’s building an outdoor classroom, upgrading senior facilities, preserving local history, or supporting families through food security initiatives, these projects are powered by passionate people who care deeply about their communities.”
