Recreation and culture top priority for new committee

In Picture Butte, there’s a new committee in its infancy — it’s only six months old.

It’s the Picture Butte and District Recreation and Cultural Committee. The purpose of the new committee, according to two of its members, is to promote recreational enhancement and programs for the youth and residents of Picture Butte and area.

Town of Picture Butte Coun. Teresa Feist and committee member said right now, the committee is working on a spray park, which will be an aquatic centre attached to the swimming pool.

“At our next meeting we have schematics coming of a proposal of what we’d like to see. Hopefully, we’re looking at grants and fundraising,” said Feist, about a meeting scheduled for last night.

Picture Butte, Feist added, has always needed a recreational committee.

“There’s never been and we look at our kids in town and they just need something. It’s always been a need,” she said.

Cathy Reiter, vice-president of the committee, noted she believes there are more monies available to committees formed outside of a town council.

“There’s access to grants that we can absolutely apply for. That was also a big thing,” said Reiter, in regards to reasons why the committee was initially formed.

But, Reiter added, it’s not just about recreation — it’s also about the cultural aspect of Picture Butte. “I’ve always been involved with recreation in Picture Butte but there’s so much culture with the music and the arts that hasn’t been tapped into. We’re looking at how can we enhance that and develop programs within our own small town that can bring these talented people together — whether it’s a festival or outside concert that brings families together. We talked about a lot of things. It requires a body of people coming together and organizing that and finding sub-committees within that. We want to access all the people within the town of Picture Butte to really get the word out we are looking at some exciting things for young kids, older kids and seniors,” said Reiter.

Feist said there is currently over 10 committee members focused on the same end goal, while thinking of fundraising ideas to help move the committee forward. One such idea brought forward to the group was to hold a local talent night.

“We have a lot of local talent that hasn’t been recognized and that would be a great way to bring everybody out,” said Feist.

According to Feist, the original spray park group from the community has come on board, as a partner.

“That group has a lot of information also,” said Feist, adding the organizer Melissa Hengerer and her group was willing to share information, which is very helpful to the committee.

Historically speaking, a spray park has been the buzz around Picture Butte for quite some time.

“There’s so many young kids and the kids go everywhere. They go to Coaldale, they go to Nobleford and they go to Raymond for spray parks for the kids in the summer when it’s 100 degrees. The little tiny toddlers. We thought why not bring people out to Picture Butte. Why not keep the families in our own community,” said Feist.

Committee members said they’ve heard from a lot of moms a spray park would be a top priority recreational-wise on a list.

Feist added, through fundraising, grants and donations, the committee is working towards a spray park/pool enhancement project and the possibility of organizing a farmers’ market. Also the Picture Butte Elks are in the process of working on a bike park. The Picture Butte and District Recreation and Cultural Committee meets the first Monday of each month at the Picture Butte Library at 7 p.m. Feist and Reiter noted if anyone would like to offer suggestions or feedback please call to express interest in coming to one of the meetings to share thoughts.

Contact Feist at 403-732-4167.

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