Awards expanded to celebrate community

It takes many residents, businesses, groups and organizations to make Maple Creek the amazing place it is, and now those contributions will be celebrated through the Maple Creek Community Awards.

Hosted by the Maple Creek Chamber of Commerce, the community awards will combine the Business Awards of Excellence – previously organized by the Main Street Program; and the Citizen of the Year Award – previously organized by the Maple Creek News-Times. The new event will also include five additional awards for individuals, businesses, groups, organizations or teams that shine.

The seven awards will focus on those who have contributed to making Maple Creek a great place to live and do business. This could be anything from volunteer work by an individual to a local team winning a championship.

The idea for the awards came after a group from town travelled to Unity as part of the Saskatchewan Economic Development Association’s (SEDA) First Impressions Community Exchange Program this summer.

“In discussions with the Chamber up in Unity and the way they handle their awards, they celebrate their community – the main events that have happened during the year that help their community advance,” explained Blaine Filthaut, president of the Chamber of Commerce. “We like that, because it’s less competition. It’s just positive stories.”

Unity has been holding its community awards ceremony for a number of years, drawing out a crowd of 300 people last year.

Instead of just celebrating businesses and one individual who has contributed, the new format will celebrate multiple people, businesses and groups to make it a true community celebration.

“One year there may be three individuals and two businesses,” Filthaut said. “There’s no set categories.”

Nomination forms can be picked up at the News-Times office or cut out on page 3 of this paper, and those who submit a nomination will have their name entered in a draw for $200 Cowtown cash to spend at any Maple Creek Chamber of Commerce business.

Award winners will be announced prior to the awards celebration, which will be held on March 25.

Similar to last year’s Business of Excellence Awards, artists in the community will be invited to submit proposals for artwork to serve as the awards themselves. This could be a painting, photograph or pottery. A Call to Artists form is also available at the News-Times office for those wishing to submit a proposal for artwork. Start nominating!

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