The Bella Coola Valley Ridge Riders Horse Club is pleased to announce that it is once again the recipient of a generous contribution from the Williams Lake and District Credit Union (WLDCU) Community Investment Fund.
The Community Investment Fund is a grant funding initiative that is intended to help local communities achieve greater economic success and improve the quality of life within the WLDCU service region.
As a two-time recipient of funding through this program, the Valley Ridge Riders can attest to the importance of such funding programs in assisting local not-for-profits to improve their facilities and offer programs for youth that might not otherwise be available in the community.
This year’s award will be used to continue with improvements to the facilities at Walker Island, including the replacement of old grandstand seating with new steel-frame structures. The rodeo grounds and other facilities at Walker Island were significantly damaged during the 2010 flood, and because the facility is owned and operated by a private non-profit society, it was not eligible to receive Disaster Financial Assistance. Available resources had to be redirected to recover from flood damage, rather than toward other improvements, as previously planned.
The grant from the Williams Lake and District Credit Union is a most welcome contribution to this small volunteer-run organization, as it continues its efforts to offer healthy recreational opportunities to youth and families in the Bella Coola Valley.