The Rockyford Friendship Club is taking a project to celebrate the pioneers of the community.
The Historical Committee of the Friendship Club is working to create Prairie Ridge Park. According to a release, the committee is a dedicated group of people who wish to display and honour our agricultural heritage and at the same time create a park area in our community to benefit the health and well-being of the people who live here and to visitors travelling.
The Community celebrated its centennial around the same time that COVID-19 struck. Their initial project was a display of historic family items for the public to enjoy. It was a success, and the project outgrew its original location.
The historical committee also had a display of some of the historic agricultural machinery in the community. They even held a demonstration of a working binder and threshing machine. More family donations of machinery came in with the wish it would be displayed and preserved.
The committee has drawn up a plan for Prairie Ridge Historical Park and secured a one-acre parcel of land from the Village of Rockyford. The Village is also accepting donations and is able to issue tax receipts.
The park is to have displays of the equipment as well as picnic and shelter areas, a building display and a walking path that can add to the historic walking tour as created during the centennial.
They have begun a fundraising campaign, with a projected goal of raising about $274,000. Already, they have secured about $10,000 from local farmers and community members, as well as a $20,000 grant from Wheatland County. The group has applied for a CFEP grant and has received $86,000.
They are also holding a raffle, with a donated prize, which will be drawn for at the annual Lions Rodeo.
For more information on the project, contact Sandy Garriott at fsgarriott@gmail.com, or Lois Koester at loiskoester100@gmail.com

The Hussar Ag Society was victorious in its quest to secure $25,000 in extra funding through the Growing Home program.
The Growing Home Program through BASF awarded $160,000 to 12 community organizations in Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba and Ontario. The Hussar Ag Society was the grand prize winner, securing $25,000 for its arena.
“We are pretty fortunate, these small communities rally together and support each other,” ssaid Hussar Ag Society president Brad Dundas. “All of our kids play in each of these arenas, so it s it pretty important to the community so they can rally together and support each other.”
The Ag Society was named one of three finalists in the contest, but it was up to its supporters to vote for the project, and the community came out in droves to boost the organization's chances.
On April 29, the winner was announced.
Dundas explains the funds will go towards regular maintenance, including the replacement of two hot water tanks.
“Operating expenses are extremely high for these kinds of facilities, so it will go towards the whole building’s operation and maintenance,” he said.
He also notes that a few years ago they upgraded the ice plant, and the funds will help them realize the debt for this.
Dundas says the arena is crucial to the community, especially in a small town. Minor hockey and ringette are active users, as is the Hussar Skating Club.
In the offseason, the 4H makes good use of the facility for its activities, including its annual Show and Sale.
“It is pretty much the hub of our community. Every weekend and most days of the week, it is filled with everybody, from curling to ringette to hockey,” he said. “It is a gathering place for a lot of fundraising events and organized sports. If you want to meet someone in the wintertime, go down to the arena, eat some food and have a visit.”
A statement for the Ag Society upon winning notes, “We are honoured to be chosen for this incredible prize. It’s giving us the opportunity to invest in long-overdue upgrades to the arena that are essential to our continued success. These projects will allow us to continue to provide our youth with affordable access to community events and activities. We are so grateful for the support our community showed us throughout the campaign.”