The Canora Revive Group (CRG) started with a paintbrush and a love for the community; a true grassroots effort to beautify the Town through community-wide partnerships and volunteerism.
Like many rural Saskatchewan towns, Canora was founded over a century ago and portions of the original infrastructure are still in place today. While this infrastructure brings the appeal of the past, it is also in need of consistent upkeep and attention. At the same time, many business owners do not have the time or resources needed to maintain, let alone improve, their storefronts and spaces.
This is where the CRG comes in. The CRG is designed to beautify the downtown commercial district while also involving the community at large through volunteerism to make aesthetic changes to the storefronts of local businesses. While local businesses are required to purchase the necessary equipment, the CRG does all the physical labour through the efforts and work of community groups and individual volunteers.
This project is special because meaningful relationships were formed with local business owners to choose properties, decide on the scope of the work, and to secure funding for the project while active partnerships were also created with a variety of volunteers, including local business owners themselves, youth volunteers from the Canora Composite School, members of the local 4-H club as well as private individuals, to carry out the work.
The CRG was initially created out of necessity to address both the drab appearance of downtown and the complaints from residents and visitors, but it has become so much more. It plays a significant role in the improved appearance and pride seen in Canora’s downtown district, its local businesses, and the community as a whole.
Sometimes, a fresh coat of paint can make a world of difference.
We loving hearing about success in progress stories. Please send us yours to heather@13waysinc.com.