Community Matters: Signs of summer - bus tours and scholarships

Signs of summer are slowly starting to pop up all over Bruce County and at Bruce Power, that includes the return of our popular summer bus tour program.

We encourage everyone to come see what we do and take advantage of the free tours which are offered three times per day (11 a.m., 1 p.m. and 2 p.m.), seven days per week in July and August, with the exception of statutory holidays. And as a new feature this year, we are getting an early start on the season by offering one tour per day, Monday through Friday, at 1 p.m. in the month of June.

The tours begin at our Visitors’ Centre which has become a top summer destination along the Lake Huron shoreline. We look forward to welcoming your family, friends and neighbours this summer to check out our interactive exhibits before taking a narrated tour of the world’s largest operating nuclear site

To book, please visit www.brucepower.com/bustours.

SCHOLARSHIP APPLICATIONS ARE NOW OPEN

Students from the region can now apply for post-secondary scholarships as part of Bruce Power’s annual scholarship program. Bruce Power will award $500 each to 100 successful applicants who are pursuing post-secondary education or a trade, for a total of $50,000 in scholarships.

Education is the key to our future. Though not all recipients will work on the Bruce Power site, we know that a strong education and the pursuit of skilled trades will benefit the entire region and the province, so we are happy to assist local students in any way we can.

All applicants must read the eligibility requirements and then complete the on-line form at www.brucepower.com/in-the-community/scholarships/post-secondary-school. The application period runs May 15-June 15.

Starting this year, every secondary school in the Bluewater, Bruce-Grey Catholic and Avon Maitland District School Boards will award two graduates with a Women in Trades Award and a Future Innovator Award, each worth $500.

In addition, Bruce Power will provide $100/school per year to Grade 8 graduates from all elementary schools in Bruce, Grey and Huron counties. The winner will be a top student who has excelled in the subject of science, demonstrates leadership in the classroom setting, and is a diligent student, turning in work on time and completed to the best of his or her ability.

Through a partnership with Indspire, Bruce Power will also present thousands more in scholarships for local Indigenous communities through the Indigenous Post-Secondary Award, which provides $4,000 to students from Chippewas of Saugeen First Nation, Chippewas of Nawash Unceded First Nation, the Historic Saugeen Métis or the Métis Nation of Ontario Region 7, who have completed at least one year of post-secondary education or apprenticeship programs. Learn how to apply at www.brucepower.com/in-the-community/scholarships/indigenous/.

As always, feel free to contact me at james.scongack@brucepower.com or on Twitter @jscongack.