Communities in Bloom

Adding Blooms at City Hall 

Today I presented to the Thompson Chamber of Commerce, along with the Communities in Bloom Committee, on our success this summer as first-time participants in the Communities in Bloom Program.

Communities in Bloom is a Canadian non-profit organization committed to fostering civic pride, environmental responsibility and beautification through community involvement.  The program was first held in 1995 with 29 municipalities and now includes more than 500 communities across Canada.

Provincial Editions have now been established and the City of Thompson participated in the Manitoba Edition.  Two volunteer judges visited Thompson in late July and assessed our community according to eight criteria:

• Tidiness
• Environmental Awareness
• Community Involvement
• Natural and Cultural Heritage Conservation
• Tree/Urban Forest Management
• Floral Displays
• Turf and Groundcover

Here are a few comments that the judges shared after their tour of our community:

"Overall, the City impresses as tidy and clean.  Entrance ways, thoroughfares, roadway ditches, parks and other spaces were nearly litter and graffiti free."

"The judges congratulate the City, the Thompson Neighbourhood Renewal Corporation and the Canadian Mental Health Association on their partnership to provide graffiti removal to business in Thompson beginning in 2008.  Clearly the program is effective."

"Thompson's draft Sustainable Community Plan Strategies and Policies document will be the foundation for moving toward a more sustainable and livable city (a valuable community engagement and planning tool - congratulations on taking this critical action in strategic planning)"

"Thompson is blessed with an abundance of community-minded residents/business people who volunteer with their time and money."

Overall the City of Thompson received a 3 Bloom designation (out of a possible maximum 5 Blooms), which is the Communities in Bloom award scale that corresponds to the points scored during assessment. Our local Communities in Bloom Committee is proud of this achievement, which we consider a very respectable score for a first year participant. 

In addition to our 3 Bloom Provincial designation, the Communities in Bloom Committee decided to hold our own community competition called "City Pride" where residential areas, businesses, institutions and rental properties vied against one another in their own category for the most impressive beautification techniques.  We also held a Council Flower Pot Competition to kick-off the growing season.

All in all, participation in Communities in Bloom Committee produces multiple benefits for Thompson.  It increased civic pride and community involvement, valuable information and feedback is received from the provincial judges, it can lead to decreased vandalism, adds to economic development and increased property values, provides marketing and promotional opportunities and improves the quality of life for residents.

Thompson's Communities in Bloom Committee is set on evaluating the feedback from the judges and discussing the lessons we learned this season.  We have 5 Blooms to aim for next summer!