A new initiative by Port Alberni Parks and Recreation is aimed at new residents of the Alberni Valley, manager of recreation services Ron Doetzel said.
‘Welcome Neighbour’ is a program designed specifically for people who have moved to the Valley in the last two years.
Parks and recreation is sponsoring a special night for new residents at the Echo Centre cedar room on Wednesday, Oct. 5. The event is from 6-8 p.m.
Staff will be present to offer information and advice about parks and recreation programs, services and opportunities. There will prizes, pass give aways and raffles.
“In the past we waited for people to come to us,” Doetzel said. “We wanted to take a proactive approach and reach out to new people and help them get connected.”
The program is similar to the Welcome Wagon concept but has a parks and recreation slant, Doetzel said.
The initiative has already been promoted through schools and real estate firms. “We just want to get the word out a little more broadly now.”
Doetzel isn’t sure about the size of the new resident demographic but they’re out there. “We could attract a good crowd – or not, we wont’ know until we get there,” he said.
“But we’re letting people know what we’re doing and what we have.”
Partering with other Valley agencies for future ‘Welcome Neighbour’ projects could be in the cards, Doetzel said.
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