Cypress County approves sponsorship for Elkwater’s Canada Day festivities

Posted on June 12, 2025 by Ryan Dahlman

By Anna Smith
Southern Alberta Newspapers
Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

Cypress County council approved on June 3 a $500 sponsorship of the Elkwater Canada Day celebration, as requested by the Elkwater Community Association.

In recent years, this event has gathered more than 1,000 people to the area, for the parade, food trucks and surrounding celebrations. The sponsorship, to cover parade supplies, was paid for from council promotions.

A report was received on the Prairie Rose Fire Academy Pilot Project, detailing what has been done within the program to create firefighters for Cypress County and the County of Forty Mile.

The report was made in hopes of being able to continue offering the program, transitioning from a pilot project to a fully integrated program.

It detailed the certifications that students receive over the course of the program, the details of what the students are learning throughout their time with the South Alberta Fire Rescue Academy.

The presentation stressed that many U.S. firefighting programs cost an average of $21,250, but students are paying $2,500 at SAFR, allowing them to receive the needed training to be safe and effective firefighters at a lower barrier to entry. Students do first aid, physical fitness training, training both in station and offsite, as well as volunteering.

Currently, six students are completing their second year and six in their first year of the program. Cypress has currently brought on three students and has four on the way, and they have 12 students hoping to enrol.

The request for decision regarding the information provided will appear at a future council meeting.