ARICHAT - Days after making its first equipment purchase for a new community park and playground that is targeted to take shape next spring, the Arichat Community Development Association (ACDA) is thanking two levels of government, a local financial institution and community residents for pushing their dreams closer to reality. 

ACDA officials confirmed that the organization has made an equipment purchase of $256,216 in late June for the park/playground initiative to be located next to the Ecole Beau-Port school site. Less than a week later, St. Joseph's Credit Union in nearby Petit de Grat confirmed that the project had qualified for $100,000 from its Community Economic Development (CED) grant program. 

Combined with $100,000 in provincial monies confirmed by Richmond MLA Trevor Boudreau in March and a grant from Richmond Municipal Council that received an extension from council in late June, these funds have blended with thousands of dollars raised over the past four years - including during the most severe portions of the COVID-19 pandemic - to help the ACDA edge closer to the finish line. 

Association director Rachelle Samson told TELILE 24/7 host and LJI journalist Adam Cooke that these funding commitments will go a long way towards strengthening the ACDA's pitch for infrastructure funding from the federal government. 

"It's a million-dollar project - it's a large project, so I understand if the federal government takes a little more time," Samson noted. "But we're hoping to see a partnership with them over the next six months or so."

In the meantime, Samson and her ACDA colleagues are inviting Isle Madame residents to get ready for a "Build Day" that is currently slated for May 2024. In a similar fashion to the construction of the Port Hawkesbury Community Park nearly ten years ago, the ACDA is planning to have community residents join the organization for a single day of building up the equipment, to inspire local enthusiasm and ownership for the new park and playground endeavour.