Town donates $5,000 to support landscaping of upcoming True North facility

By John Watson Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

The Town of Strathmore has approved the donation of $5,000 to the True North Society to be utilized for landscaping and beautification purposes. 

The donation was approved following an in-camera session during the July 28 special meeting and is to be financed through the town’s financial stabilization reserve. 

“True North is an amazing organization that works with primarily women and children at risk in crisis situations, and they do incredibly good work for Strathmore, for the county, for Siksika, for the city of Calgary,” said Coun. Brent Wiley. “I think that True North’s contribution not just in the services they provide, but in this muti-million-dollar capital investment they are going to be making in our community is so substantial that I think it is incumbent upon council to give them even a small amount of money outside of normal policy.”

Wiley iterated the typical process for user groups to request financial assistance should be to apply at a community event night, go through Alberta’s community initiatives program (CIP) or through Family and Community Support Services (FCSS).

He added the argument that despite being to aid in the landscaping and beautification of True North’s facilities, it may be to the benefit of the entire local community.

Coun. Richard Wegener, in support of Wiley’s motion, suggested even increasing the amount donated to True North to $10,000.

“True North does a lot of good work in our community, helping with the other organizations in town, and for the $5,000 … motioned for, I think that is not really enough,” he said.

“The beautification of their new facility is an investment not only in our community, but an investment in the people who will be living there and healing there, and they deserve to move forward in their (lives) with some beauty around them,” said Coun. Melissa Langmaid.

Wegener’s motion for a $10,000 donation was defeated in a tied vote. Coun. Claude Brown was not present at the meeting to weigh in on the decision.

Though the wording of the passed motion was vague and did not technically specify it must be utilized to benefit True North’s new affordable housing and wellness hub, it was noted to be implied as the intended purpose.

The official groundbreaking for the new facility is scheduled to take place, Aug. 26, with construction estimated to occupy an approximately 18-month to two-year timeline.