Keeping the doors open
Sharon McLeay
Times Contributor
County of Wheatland Community Enhancement Fund money has been allocated and board spokesperson Marci Field addressed councillors on April 19, with the options suggested for community support from the Community Enhancement board members.
“Fifty three applications were received, 40 applications were recommended and 13 were declined,” said Field. “The board followed the guidelines set out for them and speaking for all the board members, they extend their thanks to council for allowing us to be involved in this worthwhile process.”
Total money recommended was $371,166.84. There is a reserve fund of $13,760.19. Eight projects were required to return funds to the reserve that totaled $11, 917 of the reserve. For a complete breakdown of projects, see www.wheatlandcounty.ca under the April 19 council agenda package.
Nine projects from last year had yet to reach completion and the board granted an extension, encouraging local fundraising to get the projects completed. All 2015 projects had completed their reports required to be submitted to the board.
Field said that over the last five years the board has seen about 41 per cent of community project grant applications approved.
Council had some concerns about this year’s awards, as many of the recommendations approved applications to cover costs of utilities and insurance on community and club facilities.
Councillor Ben Armstrong indicated that the fund was not intended to support those areas.
“I would rather see funding go to one-off projects,” said Councillor Brenda Knight. “If they are that bad off, will we eventually have to take these over and will this mean all community organizations will come forward for us to pay their utilities?”
Field said the number of applications for utility costs may be due to the breakdown for funding put forth. As it is almost impossible to obtain grants for operating expenses, the board split applications into two general categories of operations and other projects. It was suggested that funding granted for utilities and insurance would allow the various groups the ability to spend fundraising on other projects. She indicated that in the current economic downturn, there has also been a reduction of funding to community groups by private businesses.
“At this present time, we felt it was important to keep these buildings operational,” said Field.
“It is still community enhancement,” said Councillor Rex Harwood. “We are short on recreation facilities and this allows them to sustain themselves.”
Percentage of 2012-2016 Funding Requested & Approved by Community
Community Total Requested Total approved % of request approved
Cairnhill 222,501.25 115,372.71 52%
Carseland 369,727.06 174,457.43 47%
Cheadle 170,083.54 87,739.65 52%
Cluny 45,661.00 43,061.00 94%
Dalum 36,356.30 36,356.30 100%
Duck Lake 10,000.00 10,000.00 100%
Gleichen 348,678.40 233,100.00 67%
Hussar 638,501.27 293,887.73 46%
Level Land 67,200.00 54,300.00 81%
Lyalta 188,261.65 67,152.20 36%
Nightingale 115,365.00 96,550.00 84%
Other 410,542.57 125,038.40 30%
Rockyford 387,435.00 194,988.75 50%
Rosebud 262,353.80 104,420.00 40%
Speargrass 175,510.00 46,110.00 26%
Standard 948,671.46 322,413.73 34%
Strathmore 686,769.03 90,935.00 13%
Total 5,083,617.33 2,095,882.90