Looking to light up Kinsmen Park

Shannon LeClair

Times Reporter

 

The Strathmore Fire Department is looking to light up Kinsmen Park in time for Family Day. Originally Chief Muir Furzer had intended to have the park lit up in time for Christmas but it didn’t quite work out due to a lack of donations.  

“We’re looking at getting as many LED lights so we can start lighting up Kinsmen Park,” said Furzer. 

Approximately a month ago Furzer went to the Chamber of Commerce and asked them to speak to the business in the Chamber to see if they would donate lights. A lot of the businesses are being relied upon for donations right now and Furzer said he thought he would try something different and keep the cost low. He was requesting no more than three sets of white LED lights be donated from each business. 

“The businesses have been really slow and I haven’t got any corporate ones at all, and now I’m looking at going into public,” said Furzer. 

NAPA Auto Supplies asked about sponsoring a tree, at the time Furzer said they wanted to stick with the white lights because they didn’t want to be in competition with the Ag. Society. Furzer said they have since decided they will take what they can get since donations have been so low. 

“Anybody that wants to donate lights, bring them down,” said Furzer. 

 “Our next goal is to try to have it lit up for Feb. 21, which is Family Day here for the Centennial Day celebrations… the first level of centennial celebrations.” 

He said how long the lights stay lit is dependant on what the community wants and also on how much power Fortis Alberta will allow them to have. Furzer said there was a point in time when the lake was lit up, but due to vandalism the project eventually ended. 

“I think that may be one of the reasons why we’re getting a slow response.”

Both the rural and the town fire departments will be stringing up the lights. Furzer said they don’t quite have the 200 sets he was hoping for, but thanks to a recent donation from Canadian Tire, they are a little closer. 

Donations can be dropped off at the Fire Hall during the business days (721 Lakeside Boulevard in Strathmore.)