A rainy day didn’t seem to dampen the judges’ impression of Salmon Arm. The Communities in Bloom competition is a chance to showcase the city. This marks Salmon Arm’s first year in a competitive category that rates the city against other similar-sized communities.
Communities get a bloom rating based on eight criteria: tidiness, environmental action, heritage conservation, urban forestry, landscape, turf and ground covers, floral displays and community involvement.
Brad Ackerman, the city’s supervisor of parks, led judges Teresa Williams and Don Alberg on an all-day tour of Salmon Arm on July 17.
The day took them to Haney Heritage Park, CSRD landfill, Salmon Arm Cemetery, Blackburn Park, City Hall, McGuire Lake, SASCU Recreation Centre, Canoe Beach, downtown business district and more. They were able to catch the Lunch Box Stage music at the Ross Street Plaza and finish the day at Marine Park with Wednesday on the Wharf, showcasing Salmon Arm’s lively arts culture.
Alberg was impressed with the downtown revitalization and character, saying it showed a lot of forethought.
“The vibrancy of downtown is spectacular,” he said.
Williams was impressed with the floral displays, which included 320 hanging baskets, and said the tour had been amazing.
“You’ve done an awesome job, you should be proud,” she said.
Both judges also enjoyed the heritage buildings. Results and awards will be given out in October.