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Jonathon Naylor Editor With one last round of cheques, the Hudbay 80th Anniversary Fund capped off a four-year, seven-figure giveaway that has greatly enhanced the Flin Flon area. The company on Tuesday presented $135,100 in donations to community projects, draining the remainder of the generous $1-million fund. 'I don't think we had any idea how many projects would evolve out of this,' said Karen MacKinnon, a city councillor, thinking back to when the fund was launched in 2008. 'It's been amazing watching...how many people have got involved in the community to advance projects.' Speaking at Tuesday's Chamber of Commerce meeting, where the final cheques were presented, Coun. MacKinnon commended Hudbay for the initiative. Flin Flon Mayor George Fontaine, who sat on the fund committee, said the grant program 'has been wonderful' for both Flin Flon and Creighton. Doug O'Brien, chair of the fund committee, spoke on the history of the program and presented a slide show detailing the 26 projects it has supported. He said the goal of the fund was to enhance _ and make greener _ the Flin Flon area over the course of five years. But due to the volume and quality of the grant applications, O'Brien said, all of the cash has been awarded ahead of schedule. Karl Austman, Hudbay's representative on the fund committee, applauded the efforts of O'Brien and the committee. 'It's an honour for us to be able to participate,' added Austman. Since its launch in August 2008, the fund has granted $967,525 toward projects in Flin Flon and Creighton. The remaining cash covered administration and signage. See 'Pioneer...' on pg.5 Story from pg.1 By far the largest benefactor was Pioneer Square, which received $235,000 en route to becoming one of Flin Flon's most elegant gathering spots. Another hefty sum, $106,844, went to the Flin Flon skate park being built near Many Faces Education Centre, overlooking Queen's Park. Grants worth $74,500 went to the Flin Flon-Creighton Walking Trail, which connects the neighbouring communities with an illuminated path visible north of the Creighton Freeway. To the Flin Flon Ski Club, for landscaping and the purchase of equipment, came $67,165 in support. The establishment of the Creighton running track, which circles the community's soccer field, garnered aide totaling $65,000. The fund allotted $42,583 to upgrade and illuminate Flinty's Boardwalk, a popular destination for joggers, walkers and tourists. When the Flin Flon Station Museum needed help purchasing cement pads for displays, Hudbay stepped forward with $40,400. Another $40,000 went to playground equipment for the Channing beach, which has undergone a remarkable transformation in recent years. Cheques amounting to $39,500 were given to the ongoing establishment of a BMX park off of Kingsway Blvd., visible from the Perimetre Highway. Work to expand and develop the recreational area at Queen's Park benefitted from a $39,000 grant. Restoration and enhancements at the Hapnot Lake Wildlife Sanctuary, or 'the Duck Pond,' saw the fund dole out $30,000. That was the same amount that went to the Phantom Lake Golf Club to improve the golf course grounds. The fund put $21,500 into the construction of the viewing deck on 'Reservoir Hill' off of the Flinty's Boardwalk trail. Two projects _ a bike area at the Smiling Hearts Daycare and play equipment and landscaping for Rotary Park _ each received $20,000. See 'Landscaping...'on pg.9 Story from pg.5 Then there was the $17,202 that went to landscape and beautify the area of the new Flin Flon, Creighton and Area SPCA shelter off the Perimetre Highway, and the $15,680 to create a safer playground with new equipment at the Flin Flon Trailer Court. Upgrades and beautification at Alder Park got $10,000, as did the relocation and upgrade of Creighton's Royal Northwest Mounted Police Post Museum. Another $10,000 was granted to the Main Street Business Builders Committee for the purchase of a large artificial Christmas tree and Christmas lights for the downtown area. That was only slightly more than the $9,800 donated to the Flin Flon and District Chamber of Commerce to repair and upgrade its Neighbours of the North Park at the south end of Main Street. A new fence at Kin Park benefitted from $7,100, while Creighton's recreation department accepted $7,000 for park beautification and equipment updating. Aging equipment at the Grandview St. park was replaced thanks to a $5,000 grant, while $3,500 went to landscaping and electronics for the Canada Day fireworks. The remaining $750 helped buy recycling bins for the Flin Flon Kinettes to use at community events. Hudbay launched the fund to commemorate the 80th anniversary of the now-defunct Hudson Bay Mining and Smelting. Story from pg.5 Then there was the $17,202 that went to landscape and beautify the area of the new Flin Flon, Creighton and Area SPCA shelter off the Perimetre Highway, and the $15,680 to create a safer playground with new equipment at the Flin Flon Trailer Court. Upgrades and beautification at Alder Park got $10,000, as did the relocation and upgrade of Creighton's Royal Northwest Mounted Police Post Museum. Another $10,000 was granted to the Main Street Business Builders Committee for the purchase of a large artificial Christmas tree and Christmas lights for the downtown area. That was only slightly more than the $9,800 donated to the Flin Flon and District Chamber of Commerce to repair and upgrade its Neighbours of the North Park at the south end of Main Street. A new fence at Kin Park benefitted from $7,100, while Creighton's recreation department accepted $7,000 for park beautification and equipment updating. Aging equipment at the Grandview St. park was replaced thanks to a $5,000 grant, while $3,500 went to landscaping and electronics for the Canada Day fireworks. The remaining $750 helped buy recycling bins for the Flin Flon Kinettes to use at community events. Hudbay launched the fund to commemorate the 80th anniversary of the now-defunct Hudson Bay Mining and Smelting.
