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Altona CAN! Build a Dream Together

 

For the past three years a three-person Task Force, under the direction of ACAN, has operated the Altona 

Community Garden. It has been a pleasure working together and alongside of the many residents of Altona who 

have gardened there.  We are also particularly pleased that we have had the full and enthusiastic support of the 

Altona Town Council. As a result, a lot of people have had a chance to eat locally-grown, organic vegetables.

The garden has a truly international flavor, with about a third of the plots rented by new-comers to Altona. For 

many of these gardeners, tending to their plots is an important social outing and in the process they meet and 

develop relationships with other new-comers as well as long-time residents of Altona. 

From the beginning, the garden has included a space at the centre of the garden known as The Commons. It has 

been the meeting point for many gardeners where they access tools, water, compost, advice and fellowship with 

other gardeners. 

It is fair to say that what we saw happen in the Commons gave rise to the dream that ACAN has developed to 

enhance The Commons to include a spacious, timber frame pavilion along with wheelchair accessible washrooms 

and a park-like entrance. Along the way, we also began partnering with Equal Access Altona to dream about 

incorporating a wheelchair accessible garden space next to The Commons. 

In the November 8th edition of the South Central Post, Lori Penner wrote a wonderful article explaining at greater 

length the vision ACAN has for the new Commons. She noted that we envision this space to be a thing of beauty 

that will provide dignity and “pride of place” to the gardening community and indeed all of Altona. 

Now we have the fund-raising hurdle to cross. But we have seen hurdles before and have prevailed. And so we 

really believe that with the support of community individuals and businesses along with various grants we are 

applying for, the money to “build this dream together” will be found. Altogether we will need about $140,000.

Our first appeal to meet this goal is going out to individuals like you in Altona and area. If you have a mailbox 

connected to the Altona Post Office and normally accept flyers, you will be receiving a brochure in the mail next 

week. It will help you to envision the dream and give you an opportunity to participate financially to get the 

fund-raising started.

Please note that all project funds will be handled by the Town of Altona, who will also be issuing tax-deductible 

receipts. So all cheques should be made out to Town of Altona with a note on the memo line, Community Garden 

Project. Then, either mail it to Town of Altona, PO Box 1630, Altona, MB, R0G 0B0 or place it in the drop box at 

the Altona Civic Centre. If you want to contribute in other ways please call the town office at 204-324-6468 to 

make arrangements. 


 By Jack Heppner for ACAN

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