CARSTAIRS - The town's policies and priorities committee has recommended council approve proposed Family and Community Support Services (FCSS) funding for community groups, societies and organizations in 2024.
The committee’s monthly report was presented and reviewed during the recent regularly scheduled council meeting.
The committee is made up of town councillors, with town administration and various department directors also participating.
Coordinator Lori King prepared and presented the FCSS 2024 funding report, noting that 15 requests were received, totalling $76,525.
The committee is recommending that the Boys & Girls Club receive $9,324, the Carstairs and Community Half Century Association $1,700, the Carstairs Public Library for Books for Babies $464, the library’s comic con program $1,000, the library grow literacy program $1,200, the library’s satisfy curiosity program $2,529, and the library’s walk the block program $1,400.
As well, the committee has recommended Chinook’s Edge School Division's YES program receive $14,130, the Hope 4 Mountain View Kids Society $500, the Mountain View Moccasin House Society $1,000, the Mountain View Quilters $2,750, the Olds and District Hospice Society $500, and the Rainbows Grief and Loss program $4,000.
Town chief administrative officer Rick Blair says the recommended funding will be considered as part of ongoing budget deliberations.
During the committee’s recent meeting, members also considered a request for lighting at the Carstairs dog park.
“Unfortunately, there is no power at the site and they would need to erect posts, among other costly work, to put up lights, which would cost taxpayers a lot of money,” he said.
“The dog park was supposed to be open from sunrise to sunset.”
In the end, the committee unanimously agreed to leave the park as is, he said.
