Hazel Bluff Hall, located west of Westlock on Highway 18, has received support from the Government of Canada to the tune of $365,000. 
Westlock-St.Paul MP Brian Storseth was at the hall recently to present the cheque to the group.  The funds are provided through the Community Adjustment Fund (CAP) as part of Canada's Economic Action Plan.  The $1 billion fund supports projects that address short-term economic needs of Canadian communities impacted by the recession.

The original hall, no longer servicable, had to be replaced.  The Hazel Bluff Agricultural Society began fund raising by presenting and performing old west-themed plays, selling Sobeys cards, hosting seniors socials and more in hopes to raise enough money to begin construction on a new facility.

With generous grants from the Province of Alberta, the fund raising efforts and now the boost from the Government of Canada, the society expects the construction of the new hall to be completed by the end of July.

Look forward to a grand opening announcement soon....

Fluoroscopy is used to obtain real-time X-ray images of a patients' internal structures and can be used to guide surgical procedures.

The Westlock Healthcare Centre, with the assistance of Alberta Health Services has invested in a new $500,000 unit to replace an aging machine.  The new unit uses digital technology allowing for the dynamic imaging of a patient rather than processing film cassettes.

The improved image quality ensures patients within the Westlock area are able to access the best possible diagnostic and surgical tools close to home.  Regular upgrades to equipment and technology provides the staff with a state of the art treatment facility right here in the GROWTH Alberta region.

The Barrhead Healthcare Centre has invested about $200,000 in two, state of the art X-ray machines.  One is a fixed unit and the other a portable unit,  replacing machines that were well over 20 years old.

The investment  shows that the Barrhead Healthcare Centre is committed to access, quality and sustainability, ensuring patients will receive excellent quality x-rays with out leaving the community.  The new machines provide much higher quality images and the risk of downtime is significantly reduced.  With as many as 30 patients needing x-rays per day, the new units will ensure that the department will run smoothly well into the future.

Construction of transmission lines and a booster station has been completed allowing water from the Westlock water treatment plant to flow to Clyde and Vimy.  An official 'valve turning' ceremony was held at the Village of Clyde on July 20 to mark the occasion.  Residents of both Clyde and Vimy are now enjoying the same water as Westlock residents.

Costs for the project have been for the most part within budget or under budget.  As reported in the Westlock News, construction and material costs were $2.46 million versus the budgeted $5.5 million.  Costs for the upgrades to the Westlock water treatment plant to increase capacity have come in at $2.5 million less than budgeted. The raw water portion of the system still requires upgrades and is in the design process.  Initial budget costs for the work on the raw water intake, raw water storage and transmission is $3.6 million.

To view the Business Awards Videos which were presented at the Business Awards Gala in January, click on 'our videos on vimeo' to the right.

 

The Barrhead and District Chamber of Commerce has brought about a new program to encourage you to build on your community and shop at home.  About 3 dozen businesses in Barrhead will accept Chamber Cash Certificates from June 1 to December 31, 2010.

 

Looking for a great gift idea?  Chamber Cash Certificates can be purchased at three locations in Barrhead.

• Route 33 Liquor Store
• Rita's Apothecary
• Right Angle and Chez Elize

Certificates are available in denominations of $20, $50, $75 and $100. Watch for the sign in the business window or check out the Chamber website to see which businesses are participating in the program and buy local!

The Reaching New Markets DVD Series is designed to assist small and medium sized businesses in expanding to new local and international markets.

 

Read more...

Pollard Banknote of Barrhead was recently awarded an Alberta Workplace Health and Safety Award by the Occupational Health and Safety Council, together with Work Safe Alberta.

 

Read more...