Community Enhancement funds decided

Times Contributor    

 

Out of 49 applications, there were 23 community projects recommended to receive Community Enhancement Funds (CEF) for 2013. 

“The Board worked diligently to further develop their process, by grouping the applications into categories, with funding priorities established that best align with the Board’s understanding of the purpose and intent of the Community Enhancement Initiative,” said Chairperson Marcy Field.

The 49 requests would have totalled over 1.5 million had they all been granted. The Board had authorized funding totaling $346,033.11.

Funding for projects is as follows:

Three projects were approved for the Cairnhill Community Association, which covered property and insurance liability, yearly electrical and new soffit, facia, eaves trough and siding for a total of $10,545.31. Downey Centennial park development received $14,483.40, initiated by the Carseland & District Community Association, Ag Society and Communities in Bloom and the Carseland Public Benefit Club project received $5,686.00 towards the fitness centre. 

The Cheadle Lions gained $16,640.65 to upgrade the ball diamond backstop and dugouts and an additional $7,522.00 for the Cheadle Lions to engage Carseland athletes with a moveable floor ball game arena. 

The Cluny Lions will get to upgrade the hall’s stoves and freezer and contribute to operating costs, with the $12,300 grant. Gleichen Community Development Council will get $450 of CEF money towards a bike shelter building in Beupre Park, and Gleichen-in-Bloom will make the town much prettier this season with $150 of new flowers in barrel pots, distributed around town. 

The Gleichen & District Ag Society gained $20,000 to help with arena operating costs. Bridging the Gap/Growing Families for east rural counties got $4,631 to continue their 55plus volunteer program. 

The Hussar & District Maintenance Society will gain $56,250 towards their lobby addition, kitchen and bathroom renovations to the community hall. Hussar Historical Society will get $2,500 towards the development of book two. 

Junior Achievement of Southern Alberta gains $2,000 for their Expanding Horizons programs. Lakes of Muirfield Recreation Society’s tot lot expansion gains $12,500 towards the project, for playing children age three to 12. Level land Community Hall will have $30,000 to put towards renovations, maintenance and operating fees. 

Lyalta Recreation Association will pay some of its grounds equipment, maintenance costs and spectator seating upgrades with $18,750. Nightingale Community Association will be able to drill that new well and contribute to the kitchen and bathrooms upgrades with the grant of $11,250. 

Project H.O.P.E. children, with special needs, will be able to enjoy a music and art program with a $5,000 infusion of cash. The Rockyford Ag Society has a rubberized floor in the arena that will be replaced with a recycled product thanks to $15,000 of CEF money, while the Rockyford Community Centre Association will get $7,713.75 to replace community centre lighting and the Rockyford Lions Club will get a washroom upgrade for the campground with $5,000 of funding. 

Rosebud Historical Society is having a 130 Anniversary Homecoming celebration this year and $5,000 from the County CEF will make that a little brighter. With a contribution of $12,000, to the Rosebud Community Enhancement Society, they will beautify the town and install outdoor lighting and ornamentation for a winter attraction. Speargrass Community Association is also sprucing up their green areas with a pedestrian path, green area maintenance and weed control, all helped along with $6,600. 

Standard Community Hall Association will get a $20,000 infusion to their Community Hall and Disaster Centre project. The Standard & District Ag Society will relocate the furnace and upgrade to industrial eves trough in the arena with $9,000. Strathmore & District Handibus Association and its clients will be glad to hear that they have $23,135 coming, to support ongoing operation costs. 

Seniors heading to the malls through the Wheatland Senior Transportation project will gain $5,927 to keep community seniors happy and active. Finally, the Youth Club in Strathmore will get $6,000 to put toward four weeks of programming for area youth.

Fields asked that council clarify their policy on parks and recreation funding and identify what type falls under the Community Enhancement Funding and which applications should be directed to council for funding. The committee had some requests for larger projects and they wanted clarification on how to deal with those projects.

Councillor Ben Armstrong said that, according to the Municipal Government Act, requests for funding from Council for a park or recreation plan falling under the Municipal Reserve funding when the project had was submitted prior to subdivision approval. Anything after subdivision had been approved would fall under the Community Enhancement Fund process.

Council asked Field how the committee was functioning.

“It is a marvelous group of people. They are very respectful of one another. They want to be as fair to the applicants as possible. They all just want to get the money out to the community,” said Field.

Council thanked the committee for their hard work on behalf of the community and Wheatland County.