(June 13, 2019) After five years and more than 100 projects, Co-op Community Spaces is continuing to invest in community projects across Western Canada – including new funding for the DRS Earthwise Society.

This year, Co-op is providing $72,000 to help enhance the Earthwise Agassiz Teaching Farm, about 30 kilometres northeast of Chilliwack. Funds will be used for upgrades to a teaching kitchen, water capture and reuse and extending an interpretative trail on the 57-acre property.

“The Co-op Community Spaces Program’s generous support is going to have a tremendous impact helping us realize our vision of creating a unique destination resource where people can come together to discover, share, and learn.” said Patricia Fleming, Executive Director of the Earthwise Society.

Co-op Community Spaces has been developed to help protect, beautify and improve spaces across Western Canada. In 2019, the program is providing $2 million to 26 community projects from Vancouver Island to Manitoba. Since 2015, Co-op has donated $8.5 million to 114 projects.  Otter Co-op is proud to have partnered with this initiative, supporting previous projects such as $60,000 to the Natural Playground upgrades at the Annieville Lions Park, $90,000 to the Willband Creek Environmental Viewing Platform in Abbotsford and $85,000 to the Chilliwack YMCA Childminding Playground.

“Co-op Community Spaces aims to bring people together, creating places for everyone and building a lasting legacy that benefits our community into the future,” said Jack Nicholson, CEO of Otter Co-op.

“We’re happy to be a contributing partner on projects like this. They reflect the spirit and dedication of the people within our community.”

For more information about Co-op Community Spaces or to view the complete list of 2019 funding recipients, visit www.communityspaces.ca.

More about Otter Co-operative:

Otter Co-op is a retail co-operative that has proudly served the Fraser Valley and Interior for 97 years with food, fuel, feed, pharmacy, hardware, fashions and liquor. Today, Otter Co-op serves more than 50,000 members — and many more customers — in the lower mainland, where it operates 16 locations, and another 3 sites in the Okanagan.  In the last 5 years, Otter Co-op has returned more than $25.9 million to member/owners in cash and equity, while contributing over $750,000 to community organizations and initiatives.