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Memorial fund supports Jackfish Lake breakwater project

Jackfish Lake-Lehman Creek Breakwater Project benefits from $11,000 grant.
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Michael Whitwell Memorial Fund. In the photo are: Sherry Jimmy, reeve of RM of Meota; Harvey Walker, mayor of Resort Village of Cochin and committee chair; Rob Wiebe, committee technical advisor; Roddy Whitwell (Mike’s father); Peter Wiesner, Cochin councillor; Candy Whitwell (Mike’s mother); Ruth Seime, North Saskatchewan River Basin Council member and Cochin councillor; and Brittany Fader, (Mike’s sister). The breakwater area can be seen in the background.

COCHIN — Members of the Whitwell family presented members of the Breakwater Rehabilitation Committee with a grant from the Michael Whitwell Memorial Fund in the amount of $11,538.35. This grant is to support the Jackfish Lake-Lehman Creek Breakwater Project.

“This generous gift in Michael’s memory helps assure that we will make our fundraising goal in efforts to rehabilitate the breakwater,” said Resort Village of Cochin Mayor Harvey Walker.

“Rehabilitation is essential to maintaining free flow of water between the two lakes. Structural failure of the breakwater is on the horizon and, if it happens, navigation between the lakes will, among other negative results, be a thing of the past. We thank the Whitwell family for their vision.”

Michael’s parents, Roddy and Candy and his sister, Brittany Fader were on hand for the presentation.

 “Mike’s love and respect for the lakes helped us to make the decision to support this project. He was passionate about the fish and wildlife,” they said. “The lake was a huge and important part of his life. Supporting its longevity in his memory is an honour. We encourage others to support this important project.”

This fund was established with Battlefords and District Community Foundation after Michael’s death in 2011. The fund has also provided support for the dock in Cochin.

Battlefords and District Community Foundation currently manages more than 28 funds that will contribute to a range of interests from the arts and health care to post-secondary scholarships and recreation. BDCF has distributed over $60,000 in annual community grants and scholarships this year. To date, their donors have provided over $1,300,000 to community groups and projects. The foundation website at www.bdcf.ca has complete information.

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