Town, Youth Club sign MOU

Times Reporter 

 

A Memorandum of Understanding was created between the Youth Club of Strathmore and the town, and was officially accepted at the July 16 meeting. 

The Youth Club of Strathmore first got its beginnings in 2009, starting with summer camps under the guidance of the Airdrie Boys and Girls Club. In 2010 negotiations began with the town for the building the club is currently in. They officially opened the doors in 2012. As each year goes by the success of the club rises in the form of increased numbers and programming. 

“We try and do a best practice of two staff in the building, not necessarily in one program, but to have two people in the building. Our ratios for all of our programs are one to 10,” said Shannon Zieman, program director for the Youth Club. 

“We really have seen a lot of growth, kind of at the point right now where we’re looking at fall and if we expand the programming I don’t have the staff right now to cover that.” 

The number of kids who using the programs offered has been steadily increasing over the years. The summer camps have gone from 17 kids per week in 2012, to 35 to 40 this year. 

The lunch program that runs over the school year saw 15 kids per day on Tuesday and Thursdays during 2012, and this year the club was capping out, and selling out, at 35-40 lunches on those same days. 

The MOU outlines details on the agreement between the town and the Youth Club. The town provides an annual budget of $142,000, and within that they must maintain the comprehensive or commercial general liability insurance, and any other insurance coverage, which may be reasonably required by the town. 

The town will also ensure there is WCB coverage and insurance for the employees, they will take care of maintenance of the building, and are responsible for all aspects of financial reporting for the Youth Club Association. The reporting can include monthly income and expense statements, quarterly financial statements, grant reporting, casino supplementary financial reports and charitable annual returns. 

The MOU also lists the obligations of the Youth Club, which include being responsible for the day-to-day administration of programs, their own insurance inclusive of the general commercial liability and non-profit organization liability. 

The club must also maintain a fundraising and advisory role, and will be responsible for any costs incurred beyond the $142,000. An annual budget must also be provided to the town each year by Sept. 30. The level of funding remains the same as it has in the past. Any additional staff hired will be paid for through program fees. 

The MOU became effective on July 16.