Kamloops is blooming again in 2012

Communities in Bloom (CIB) is all about enhancing green space and making the community a better place in which to live.

The CIB committee in Kamloops has risen to such a level of excellence that, last year, it stepped back from competition to mentor Logan Lake in that community’s entry into the provincial Communities in Bloom competition.

This year, the Tournament Capital is returning to the world stage.

Kamloops will be competing in CIB’s international category as the city seeks to reclaim the global title it secured in 2006.

The city also won the national CIB title in 2010.

Judges will be in Kamloops in late July or early August to judge the community — with the CIB committee members working with the community until then to beautify the city.

“There are lots of areas in town that need a little elbow grease and we don’t mind helping organize that,” said Glenn Grant of the B.C. Wildlife Park.

Grant and Kamloops Central Business Improvement Association manager Gay Pooler are co-chairs of the 2012 CIB committee.

Aside from boosting community pride, making the city look better and garnering national and international awards, Grant said, there are tangible benefits to the successful program.

Through the city’s success in the Communities in Bloom program, Kamloops was the featured photo on the December page in Home Hardware’s Miracle Network charity calendar, which was sold at Home Hardware stores across Canada.

In addition, the city was featured in Municipal World magazine, which is distributed throughout the country.

Furthermore, Kamloops has bid on, and will likely be awarded, the 2015 national Communities in Bloom conference, which will further showcase the city.

The local committee has a five-year strategic plan that includes Red Bridge beautification, a public art program and entrance-corridor enhancements.

In addition, Kamloops was chosen by Scott’s Miracle-Gro to be the first site in Canada for a youth community garden, for which Scott’s has donated $10,000 in cash and product.

The garden will be created in McDonald Park in North Kamloops.

Those who wish to get involved in Communities in Bloom can find more information online at kamloops.ca/cib.