Bunge donates time and money to Pineview Lodge courtyard rejuvenation program

By Rebecca Friesen

On the morning of Dec. 7, Bunge made an announcement to the residents of Pineview Lodge that they would be donating their time and money to fix up the courtyards located around the building.

To celebrate Bunge's 10 year anniversary on the New York Stock Exchange, Bunge had a worldwide competition that all Bunge facilites could enter their ideas of community improvements and 10 would be chosen to go forward. The winners were selected by committee from New York from Bunge's headquarters.

There were over 300 facilities that competed in the contest with this one being the only one in Canada to win.

Jim Harper, Bunge's Safety Co-ordinator had the idea and entered in the contest. "Many of the residents at Pineview supported Bunge when they were farmers for many years, and I thought it would be a good idea to give back to them," said Harper.

The plans of renovations are during the winter months to put Christmas decorations including a big Santa and sled with reindeer, stars, snowmen and other lights.

The summer to fall renovations include the replacement of the gazebo in the west courtyard and to remove some of the trees around the gazebo to allow for more sunlight and easier access for the residents and staff.

Bunge also plans on priming and painting the north exterior wall and replacing some of the cement pads to allow them to slope away from the building.

On top of all that they plan to clean out some of the old and dead shrubs, put in some crushed rock and just tidy up the courtyards to make them more appealing.

"Some of the decorations are up already and we hope to have the rest up within the next week," said Harper when discussing the plans for the lodge.

All the work will be done by Bunge employee volunteers and it is estimated that it will take around 250 hours.

Haze Training and Development and the Nipawin Air Cadet Squadron are also going to pitch in and help out with some of the tree and shrub removal and other summer renovations.

The funding to cover the costs will come out of the White Plains New York office, which is Bunge's global headquarters.

Also in attendance were Heather Watson, facility administrator and Mel Holder, plant manager.