CARSTAIRS - The Carstairs & District Agricultural Society hopes to access new provincial funding to help upgrade the heating system in the curling rink building, says president Charlie Van Arnam.
“We will be looking into whether we qualify for the funding,” he said. “Now that harvest is over we will have some time to do that.”
Last week, the provincial government announced that $2.5 million is being made available through the Agricultural Societies Infrastructure Revitalization Program to help society’s upgrade existing facilities.
The Carstairs & District Agricultural Society shares the curling club building, located at 350 - 11th Avenue, with the Carstairs Curling Club. The facility’s furnaces are dated and in need of replacement, he said.
Ag society buildings are central hubs in many rural communities and should be maintained, said Minister of Alberta Agriculture and Irrigation R.J. Sigurdson.
“This funding makes sure rural communities can continue to benefit from the events, services, educational programs and volunteer opportunities that agricultural societies provide,” he said.
The new government funding will “help agricultural societies keep their facilities modern, accessible and safe for generations to come,” says Brett Warder, president of Alberta Association of Agricultural Societies.
Applications for the new program opened on Oct. 5. Funds can be used to make improvements, including roof repairs, accessibility enhancements, heating upgrades and window installations, he said.
The grant awards range from $10,000 to $100,000 for individual projects.
There are 290 agricultural societies in Alberta, the oldest dating back to 1879.
