The owners and volunteers of the S.C.O.R.E. Store thrift shop in Erickson have been raising funds over the past year for the new Leda Lake Eco Park Trails Project.  It's amazing what a rural thrift store can accomplish when its supporters roll up their sleeves and donate, and shop, and volunteer!

President of the S.C.O.R.E. Store, Steve Langston, says the mandate for the local non-profit thrift shop is 'to improve the quality of life for everyone in the region', and they do that very thing through a variety of community projects including the Leda Lake Project.

The park is about 10 acres with its trail system linking up with other trails in the area, such as the Trans Canada Trail. "So that's really important, "explains Langston. "It's a node on the trail and it also sits right at the foot of downtown. We've got a ton of young people in that area and there isn't a ton of activities for them to do. So, this is going to have a big impact because of that."

Volunteers are working on the dock, and the mountain bike trail system will begin now in the month of June. A covered structure will be added to the facilities as well.  Langston says everything is happening this summer and the entire project is expected to be complete by this Fall season.

The trail system will include mountain bikes and a walking trail, but there's so much more!

Please listen to more with Steve Langston below!

The project is budgeted at $300,000 and through private donations and provincial grants they're getting very close to their goal. 

If folks want to help, Langston invites them to donate gently used items to the S.C.O.R.E Store, and then to purchase items as well. Cash donations and in-kind donations are also very much appreciated.  

"If someone or a business would like to purchase a bench that looks out on the lake, maybe in recognition of someone special like a family member, that would also be great," he adds.

"You can see that the people who developed the town did a great job of putting it in the right spot and having beautiful sight lines," he adds. "So now we're just able to come in and finish that job."

The S.C.O.R.E. Store is a community owned thrift store in Erickson that aims to support the communities of Sandy Lake, Clear Lake, Onanole, Rolling River FN and Erickson.  Hours are Thursday’s 12-5pm and Saturday 10-2pm.

Steve Langston shares a shout-out to the many who volunteer their time and efforts in the operations of the thrift shop. "Our volunteers are hard workers sorting everything, pricing and helping customers.  We couldn't do all these things without them!"

Some fun facts about Erickson, Manitoba!

Erickson is the most elevated community in the province with an altitude of 2074 feet which inspired the Altitude Festival which takes place in mid-April.  The Altitude Festival is a S.C.O.R.E. Store project along with their partners and sponsors!

For more on the S.C.O.R.E. Store visit their Facebook page HERE! AND visit the Leda Lake Project Facebook page HERE!