Town council is organizing a Kodak moment to support Fort Macleod’s bid to secure the $100-million police college.
Residents are asked to turn out in force Thursday, July 6 for a rally at the Fort Macleod and District Community Hall.
“We know they’re struggling with their decision,” Mayor Shawn Patience said. “We thought it was time we gave it one last little push.”
The rally is connected with council’s open house, which runs Thursday from 5-8 p.m. at the community hall.
People present at about 6 p.m. will be gathered for a group photo that will be delivered to the provincial government.
“We’ll get a big picture for the solicitor general,” Patience said.
The province intends to build a college that will serve as the training centre for about 1,500 police and peace officers each year.
Fort Macleod is one of 19 communities still in the running to become home to the new college.
“We’re still here, waiting for the phone call,” Town of Fort Macleod Economic development co-ordinator Gordon MacIvor said. “This is a neat, refreshing way of reminding them.”
Harley Brown of Photo Plus will take the photograph, which will be sent to Solicitor General Harvey Cenaiko, Premier Ralph Klein and members of the site selection committee. People will be asked to hold professionally-designed signs that send the message, “We’re patiently waiting. Fort Macleod.”
The province intended to announce its pick for the college in January. That decision was delayed to mid-April, then May, then June and now to mid-July.
In addition to Fort Macleod, communities still in contention for the college are Grande Prairie, Rocky Mountain House, Provost, Mayerthorpe, Lethbridge, Fairview, Penhold, Red Deer County, High Level, Lac la Biche, Drumheller, Northern Lakes College, Athabasca, Camrose, St. Paul, Stettler, Three Hills and Westlock.
