Pitch event builds on community spirit

Sharon McLeay  

Times Contributor     

 

The Let’s make a Pitch event held at the Civic Centre on June 19, took $500 and spun it into multiple counts of community spirit. 

Chief Administrative Officer Dwight Stanford offered up prize money he won at an economic development workshop and it was matched with donations from the Town of Strathmore, individuals and businesses around Strathmore, to give $10,000 for a winning idea to improve the town of Strathmore.

“Everyone can do a little more than they are and guess who wins … Strathmore,” said Brett Wilson, one of the judges for the night.

Six non-profit agencies were in the lineup to pitch their idea to judges Brett Wilson, Ron Renaud and Beerd Beekman. While the judges were kind and didn’t rain down the criticisms that are a regular occurrence on the TV show Dragon’s Den, they did query the contestants on considering the details involved in making their plans actually work.

Strathmore-Brooks MLA Jason Hale, Mayor Michael Ell, Strathmore Councillor Brad Walls, and Wheatland County Councillor Berniece Bland as well as other local councillors were at the event. Hale presented a plaque to the winner, Hope Bridges, and Ell signed the oversized check that represented the winnings for the night. 

The 2015 55+ games wanted to put in a pickle ball court, the Strathmore Library wanted to involve the art community to paint a mural the outside wall of Lambert Centre, and Hope Bridges gave an idea of ‘quilting the town’ along a walking trail, with plywood size paintings linked to an app that would give details of the quilt and historic details about Strathmore. The Strathmore and District Ag Society wanted to bring a sustainable festival to town that would feature agriculture and sustainable technology. The town revitalization committee would like to build a farmers market building on land adjacent to Kinsmen Park and the Friends of Brentwood parent’s association wanted to beautify the schools grounds with shrubs, a picnic area and raised gardens, where children could grow plants and vegetables.

The Hope Bridges idea took home the prize and there was a surprise ending with the three judges offering an additional $5,000 each towards building the farmer’s market building, if the revitalization committee could come up with seven other donors also willing to contribute $5,000 each. 

The event was well received and an offer was given to host the event at the Strathmore Travelodge next year.