Cold Lake welcomes judges for Communities in Bloom competition

On August 1, 2023, the City of Cold Lake welcomed judges from the Communities in Bloom organization as part of the City’s participation in the National category for this year’s competition. 

This will be the first time the City of Cold Lake has taken part in the Communities in Bloom competition since 2019. It was then that Cold Lake was invited to compete in the National completion and were awarded 5 Blooms Bronze.

Prior to 2019, Cold Lake was judged on the provincial level and was awarded 5 Blooms in 2016. 

At the National level, the City will be judged under the criteria of six categories. These include appearance, environmental action, heritage conservation, tree management and plant & floral displays. Judges were taken to various locations throughout the city that best exemplified these categories. 

Judges were taken to the marina to show off our full display of vibrant pollinator friendly plants and flowers which help to sustain the local bee population. The community garden was also showcased, where volunteers continue to provide space for families to grow vegetables who may not have the means to do so at home.

Other meaningful stops included the Cold Lake Museum, Kinosoo Beach, and the Cold Lake Library’s reading garden. 

“While we haven’t participated in the Communities in Bloom competition for a few years, the city has always maintained a high standard when it comes to the beautification of our city,” Mayor Craig Copeland says.

“Our staff do an excellent job  when it comes to the upkeep of green spaces throughout the city, as well also using unique and beautiful plants to decorate every season. Every year it gets better and better.”

Cold Lake will find out the results of the judge’s evaluation during the Communities in  Bloom Symposium, which is held from Sept. 27 to Oct. 1, 2023 in Fort McMurray.  

Cold Lake will be competing in the population under 20,000 category against  Chipman, N.B., Provost, A.B. and Wolseley, S.K. There are additional classes that Cold Lake could move on to, including an international category, circle of excellence category, and the grand champion’s category.