A few weeks ago, Bonnyville Town Council discussed how to move forward in getting what they want from the province. Various ideas were considered, from fighting with the current government to flirting with the opposition, and then a novel idea was raised – why don't we try working with our MLA, Genia Leskiw, and the government in power, to protect Bonnyville's interests.
This week, the Lakeland Lodge and Housing Foundation and MLA Genia Leskiw proved that working with the government might just get us what we need.
Thanks to the persistence of Leskiw and the housing foundation, the Bonnylodge and Villa Ouimet expansion project has received the go-ahead from the government.
It was a bumpy roads, with Coun. Ray Prevost, also the chairman of the lodge's board, nursing quite a few headaches and broken hearts throughout the process, but at the end of the day, the government came through, to the tune of $3 million extra dollars.
Sure, it's not tax revenue from the Cold Lake Air Weapons Range. It also won't help our current water issues. But the fact of the matter is, for the 68 seniors on the lodge's waiting list, this news could not have come sooner.
There have been quite a few times during the course of this project's approval in which we thought celebrations were in order. From the first time the ministers visited, nearly a year ago, only to jet off again without an announcement at all, to February's $10 million project announcement, it seemed many times, the end was in sight.
Those involved in the project were met with disappointment after disappointment.
But now, with the budget discrepancy dealt with, the contract awarded, and the start of construction looming in the future, it seems like success is finally here.
Congratulations to the foundation, past and present members, as well as Leskiw, who worked together and fought for the needs of this community.
They have set a nice example for the community to follow.
