It was awesome to have Minister Pat Bell in Williams Lake Wednesday, as he announced over $1 million to TRU Williams Lake for a new Cariboo Chilcotin Skills Training Project to deliver essential skills training to over 300 people to help prepare them for employment. I strongly believe that people are our greatest resource, and also the best investment we can make. By investing in our people, we invest in our future! Thanks to Minister Bell, our MLA Donna Barnett, Dr. Ray Sanders, Shirley-Pat Chamberlain, our industry partners, and all those who worked so hard to make this project happen. This is wonderful news for the city and the region!
The recently announced facelift on the back of the grandstand is going to be an amazing addition to the Stampede Grounds. Work has begun on the log entranceway that will complement the announcer’s stand and VIP stand on the other side of the arena very well! With Stampede season beginning, I want to acknowledge the Stampede Association and all the volunteers who work year-round to bring us the world-class Williams Lake Stampede. There are lots of ways to get involved with this event, including the spring time work bees to prepare the grounds for the July 1 Stampede Weekend.
I was so impressed with our Junior Council, who recently presented us with an idea to develop an ice rink at the former Poplar Glade site. Junior Council is going through a planning process to learn the ins and outs of identifying a project and moving it towards fruition. This is a unique opportunity for our young people to develop an idea and walk it through the process. I’m excited to see the outcome!
Spring is in the air! And with spring comes new hope and new beginnings. I would like to wish everyone a happy Easter with your families and loved ones. Enjoy this valuable time together!
Kerry Cook is the mayor of Williams Lake.