The Sparwood Seniors Society is the proud winner of the $12 500 community award presented by the East Kootenay Community Credit Union. In what was described as the most friendly competition, the Sparwood Lions Club were the other local group up for the award. This year, the stakes were even higher as the Sparwood Futures Society matched the donation, bringing the total amount of the award to $25,000. "We are really glad to be a part of this cause and to be able to match this donation," says Robert Buritt, President of the Sparwood Futures Society. Almost in tears as the winner was announced, Bunny Mercereau, Sparwood Seniors Society President, seen the groups vision become a reality. "I am just so happy," says Mercereau. "I was so nervous, it's really not done until it's done. Now we can move forward and help the seniors," she says. "I am so thankful, to those who voted, to the Futures Society and the Credit Union. This is a really good showing for the community of Sparwood and proves what we can accomplish when we work together."
The money awarded will go towards many upgrades and improvements for Sparwood seniors including adding a 33 x 24 addition onto the Seniors Hall. "The addition will be a games room, and allow us to expand the entrance of the building. Currently it is hard to access for those in wheelchairs and walkers. We will now also be able to step up activities and just make the seniors hall a better place," says Mercereau.
The 2012 EKCCU Community award presented the winning recipient in the communities of each Fernie, Elkford and Sparwood with $12,500. "We really want to recognize people who volunteer, it is the people who create something where there was nothing, and those people are the heart and soul of a community," says EKCCU Sparwood & Fernie Branch Manager, Eric Johnstone. "This is something we are passionate about, and that is close to us as a Credit Union. A thank you goes out to everyone, our staff and the board of directors for having the vision of this award," he says.
Construction is expected begin on the expansion of the Seniors hall at the end of the month.