The 2017 Ponoka Festival of Trees raised $125,500 for the Ponoka and District Health Foundation.

Proceeds will go toward upgrading bathing facilities at the Ponoka hospital’s long-term care centre.

Linda Nieviadomy, long-term care manager, says the money is a good start for the project.

“It would be not happening at all, if it wasn’t for this fundraiser here,” Nieviadomy says.

She says existing facilities are 30 years old and need to be replaced.

“If our equipment broke down, we might get (emergency) funds for equipment … but last year, the computer boards went on the tub and we were six weeks without being able to do any bathing of our clients.”