Tom Henihan
Express Staff
The Kimiwan Birdwalk Interpretive Centre will hold its annual End of Season Barbeque on Thursday August 25 with supper served around 5.30pm.
The barbeque is a celebration marking the end of the season when the local community are invited to come to the Birdwalk to socialize and enjoy hamburgers, hotdogs, salads, desserts and refreshments. Another feature of the End of Season Barbeque is presenting the Tidy Towns Award for the best garden in McLennan. Last year’s best garden award went to Dennis and Anita Hawthorne who will take part in choosing this year’s winner.
The birdwalk interpretive centre will close for the season on August 26 and many of the birds that make their habitat in Kimiwan have already gone south. However, some species that come from further north are at present resting up and feeding in the Kimiwan wetlands before they too make the journey south.
Along with contributing to the local economy by attracting visitors to the region, the Kimiwan Birdwalk also provides two well-paying seasonal jobs in the community.
While the Interpretive Centre opens in June, its summer hours from 10am to 5pm seven days a week begin on Canada Day with the raising of the flag and a reception serving cake and coffee.
Jennifer Dupuis, who returned to work for her fourth year, operates the centre alone in June and Megan McNeil joins Dupuis in July. Megan McNeil, a student at G.P Vanier, returned to the centre to work her second season.
This has been a busy season at the Kimiwan Birdwalk Interpretive Centre with over 700 visitors coming through in July and approximately 300 by mid-August.
The Kimiwan Birdwalk Interpretive Centre is located on Highway 2 opposite McLennan Hospital.