Welcoming 2017 with a bang at Eastlink Park

Eastlink Park said farewell to 2016 and hello to 2017 with a big bang, holding a community fireworks show at the top of the hill on Saturday, December 31. A crowd of over 400 gathered to watch and were mesmerized by the colourful feature high above them.

Chad Merrifield, Secretary on the Hill Board and Woodlands County Council Representative, said the event came together pretty quickly, “One of our staff and some of our board members had said on the same night that we should have fireworks and a party on the hill for New Year’s and this is what came of it.  Dynamic graciously helped us out with some of the fireworks, letting us put on a show for the community.”

At first the evening was supposed to be just a fireworks show but, thanks to social media feedback on Facebook, responders asked if things could be added to it and the board made it happen. “They asked if we could stay open later than our regular closing time of four and we said sure. Then it was, how about a bonfire and hot chocolate? Yup, let’s do it. Then we ended up selling hot dogs, too, so it just kind of all came out of feedback that we got from the community.”

The non-profit society, a group of 10 or 11 people, manage the hill making it possible to be responsive to local feedback. “It’s supported by the town, county, businesses, and the Rotary Club as well, and we’re thankful for that. We want the hill to be a community project and it’s a community hill.  We want it to be affordable and available to as many people as we can.”

New this season, pricing for family passes and rentals were changed and it has proved popular, “We’ve had a significant increase in the usership this year already.”

Whitecourt Fire Chief and Vice-Chair on the Hill Board, Brian Wynn, was on hand to set up the fireworks and help with the festivities. Placing each firework carefully into the ground and setting up the rows, he said that Whitecourt is very lucky to have such a great hill, “People have to come to the hill and see what we have here. Everyone who comes and sees it, loves it, so we just need them to come see.”

“One of the things that we don’t have is a huge mountain and the long runs, but we are able to offer a very technical type of facility. A lot of the jumps, the rails, the little mogul area, and the bunny hill-type concept are all very technical which allows for kids and adults to have the opportunity to learn here so that when they go to the bigger hills they can enjoy themselves,” said Merrifield.

Fun Fact: Would you believe that the snow covering the hill includes almost five million gallons of water? Crazy but true! “The Edson hill doesn’t have the snow-making abilities that we have so they can’t open yet. We smartly invested our money into the two number one things, a lift and snowmaking,” said Wynn, “it’s a big effort.”

With ladies’ nights in the works and more events to come including Eastlink Day on January 21, the hill is the place to be. Any businesses that would like to become donors or join through sponsorship, please call Chad at 780-779-7458.