Village of Berwyn Applies for HGTV’s Home Town Takeover Canada

The Village of Berwyn has officially submitted an application to be featured in Home Town Takeover Canada, a U.S.-based HGTV series newly introduced to Canada. The show is designed to help revitalize one small Canadian community and aims to highlight the heart and resilience of small towns across the country.

Mayor Nicole Johnson heard about the opportunity from her employer and eagerly began looking into how to apply.

“I was inspired to apply because I kept thinking about the kids, families, and how much we all need more ways to get outside, connect, and enjoy our community,” says Mayor Johnson. “This application wasn’t just about revitalization—it was my way of saying thank you to the incredible residents who make this place home.”

The first step in the process involved filling out an online application and answering a series of questions about the Village. HGTV later contacted Johnson to say the application had caught their eye and requested a follow-up video showing more of Berwyn and explaining why it would be a great fit for the show.

“It has been fun knowing that it could be a possibility, and I hope this inspires our community to believe again and see Berwyn as a place we can shape together,” says Mayor Johnson. “I want families to feel proud, kids to feel excited, and neighbours to feel connected. This isn’t just about winning a makeover—it’s about reigniting our spirit, showing that even small villages can dream big, and reminding each other that we’re worth investing in.”

The video submission captures the essence of Berwyn, advocates for the importance of and need for recreational opportunities in the community, and includes interviews with several residents and Mayor Johnson.

“We couldn’t have done this without the support of the Lac Cardinal Regional Economic Development Board (LCRED), Dani from Rural Heart Media, and the residents featured in the video,” says Mayor Johnson.

LCRED, a partnership between the Village of Berwyn, the Town of Grimshaw, and the Municipal District of Peace No. 135, provided support and funded the creation of the video. LCRED works with all three communities to nurture an economically strong and diverse region.

Residents can view the video submission on the Village of Berwyn’s YouTube channel,  website and Facebook page. The application deadline was November 1, and HGTV is expected to contact shortlisted towns later this year or early in the new year.

Video link on YouTube: https://youtu.be/9q3hZLTRsOQ