The concession stand at the Celgar Pavilion in Millennium Park is now open for the summer.
The concession is being operated by the Castlegar and District Community Services Society (CDCSS) as a social enterprise. Operating social enterprises has been a part of the CDCSS strategic plan for many years.
CDCSS executive director Kristein Johnson explained that grant funding is very limited and can be highly competitive.
“Social enterprise can provide excess revenue that we can put right back into the agency,” she said.
The profits from the venture will go to help fund existing programs and events or start new programs if a need is identified in the community. Last year about $7,000 was generated and Johnson hopes for even more this year.
“Last year went really well,” said Johnson. “We had a lot of fun and we learned a lot.”
But the weather did not cooperate, so Johnson is hoping for good weather that will draw people down to the park.
The concession is employing three students with partial funding through a Service Canada summer jobs grant, two students through the Get Youth Working program, and one additional employee referred by another social agency. In addition, volunteers help out and the operation can be used to help develop job skills forCDCSS clients.
The menu includes hot and cold beverages, frozen novelties, snacks, deep-fried comfort food, fresh-cut fries, onion rings, burgers, wraps, hot dogs and smokies.
Last year the cut-to-order fries were one of the most popular menu items with Johnson estimating they sold over 3,000 pounds of potatoes.
The concession stand is open Monday to Thursday 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. and Friday, Saturday, Sunday 11 a.m. to 8 p.m.