The Town of Canora continues to work on the Memorial Tree project with memorial trees, shrubs and perennials available for sponsorship in memory of loved ones. Sponsorship has been very successful so far, said Brandi Zavislak, community development officer.
鈥淚nterest in donating has been outstanding, and we will continue taking donations throughout the summer and the rest of the year,鈥� said Zavislak. 鈥淭he planting seasons will be twice a year, summer and fall. We have had over 65 families sponsor trees in honour of loved ones. There are families from all over Canada sponsoring trees, including Whitehorse, Yukon; Brampton, Ont.; Halifax N. S. and Saskatoon, just to name a few.鈥�
The project has reached full capacity for the north junction of Highway No. 9 and No. 5.
鈥淭his location is designated for more of a garden area,鈥� explained Zavislak. 鈥淎t this garden location there will be a Canora sign with a nice variety of trees planted. This corner will be a very visible and eye catching area. It will be a welcoming and show stopping entrance coming into our community. Our goal is to create a healing space that will also be very attractive for tourists and locals and be a space we are so very proud of in our community. We are a high class community and we want to have a nice welcoming entrance for motorists.
鈥淲hen I first started in this position years ago I couldn鈥檛 wait to transform this entrance into our community. It used to have an abandoned building which was an eyesore, now it will be a beautiful entrance into Canora. Constant revitalization is imperative to the future of our rural community.鈥�
Zavislak said working at a variety of community revitalization projects over the past few years and seeing them come to fruition has been one of the most rewarding aspects of her career. The second tree planting location will be along the east side of Parker Crescent and the Daniels Drive area, on the Trans Canada Trail.
鈥淭his will make the walking trail nicely treed in and will be an attractive landscaped area when driving into our town from the south,鈥� described Zavislak. 鈥淭here will be a new Canora sign installed on the south side of town as well. Solar lights will be installed along the walking trail and all of the memorial locations will have a plaque labelling each cluster of trees. We look forward to the community enjoying walking along the community trails at these locations. This will also be a healing area for many as they can walk on the trail and go see the trees planted in memory of loved ones.鈥澨�
In time, these trees are expected to be featured in community events throughout the year.
鈥淥nce the trees are mature enough the plan is to carry on the Winter Wonderland Land Lights Festival that we do in the park and town office, to include lights displays along the highway on these trees planted along the trail,鈥� forecasted Zavislak. 鈥淭he ultimate goal is to have it all beautifully lit up and landscaped along the highway.鈥�
Funding for the solar lights and new signage posts was provided by a $1,000 grant from the Trans Canada Trail. The Town of Canora public works department will soon begin breaking ground and digging out the areas in which the trees will be planted.
鈥淭here are expected to be some bare spots initially as this will be our first plant, but over time there will be many lush and thick trees planted along the Trans Canada Trail,鈥� concluded Zavislak.
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