Over 50 local community groups and hundreds of residents packed the Rotary Spirit Centre fieldhouse Sept. 7 for the Town of Westlock’s annual Community Showcase Night.
In total 55 organizations booked booths at the event, running the gamut from government organizations, non-profits, youth activity programmers and sports groups.
Mayor Ralph Leriger said he was most impressed with the sheer diversity of organizations available.
“These organizations contribute a huge array of services,” Leriger said, adding that moving the venue into the fieldhouse has also helped boost attendance.
“It’s grown so considerably over the last three or four years. We’ve had to move into this venue to get more room.”
Community services program and marketing supervisor Travis Darling added that use of the spirit centre has made it easy for residents to access everything they need in one convenient location.
“For the community, it’s nice to have a one-stop-shop,” Darling said.
“September is sort of the new year in terms of schools starting and the start of programming.”
This year’s event, Darling said, has had some of the best attendance of any community showcase so far. In 2012, 20 booths registered for the event, with community involvement more than doubling since.
“This year, more than any other year, we’ve had a wider range of programming. It’s not just the regular sports organizations. We have things like music classes, too.”
Director of community services Mike Butler said that the annual showcase is a good way for new arrivals to orient themselves and find activities.
“Not many people realize what options are out there, especially people who are new to town,” Butler said.
“It gives our community groups the opportunity to display what they do, as well, so it’s a win-win for both [our organizations] and people looking for something to do in the community.”
Leriger said the diversity of services available are a true representation of Westlock’s potential for future development and expansion.
“It’s a good opportunity to attract new participants and that’s one of its primary functions,” Leriger said.
“A lot of these organizations also work together and it provides that networking opportunity to see where they share some synergy.”
