INNISFAIL - The Innisfail Dolphins Swim Club is facing a “dire” need for support going into the 2024 season and is once again seeking help from the town.
However, following council’s discussion on the 77-year-old club’s “unstable” financial issues on May 21 administration was directed to look into several questions from council members that need to be answered before a decision is made whether the town will come to the rescue.
Meghan Jenkins, director of community services for the Town of Innisfail, introduced a report to council at its Agenda & Priorities meeting.
Her report included a May 13 letter in the agenda package from Erin Renard, president of the Innisfail Dolphins, that thanked the Town of Innisfail’s support in 2023, which included the deferral of pool rental payments for its 2023 season.
Jenkins told council that while there was a deferral of pool rental payments there was also approval for 2023 charges to be maintained with late penalties waived until December of 2025.
“This would allow the club to fundraise and recover without incurring additional penalties,” said Jenkins, adding the club has currently paid about 50 per cent of the 2023 charges and has a balance of $6,133.
Jenkins’ report added the Dolphins’ annual rental amount is about $12,000 for usage from May through August.
Renard’s letter went on the say the club remains in an “unstable” financial state as its expenses continue to rise while the number of registered swimmers decreases.
“Our club continues to fundraise tirelessly and actively seek sponsorship from local businesses; however, we are in dire need of support from the Town of Innisfail, our community, the community that our members support consistently,” said Renard in the letter.
Renard added the club is requesting, “at minimum”, the town “donate” the pool expenses for its 2024 Swim Meet on July 27.
“The swim meet brings hundreds of families to the Innisfail area for the weekend of the swim meet. The economic increase during that time is of benefit to multiple businesses in town,” said Renard, whose letter also requested a discount of 50 per cent on its pool fees throughout the 2024 season.
“This reduction in cost will alleviate huge financial pressure that the club is currently facing and will allow the Innisfail Dolphins Swim Club to continue to provide a valuable sport and experience to youth in our community.”
Renard’s letter ended with a request for a response “as soon as possible” and before June 5.
However, council members, including mayor Jean Barclay, wanted more information before making any decisions.
Barclay wanted to know what the club is now doing to raise money, and specifically what its sponsorship package looks like for potential corporate donors.
The mayor also wanted to know if there was any grant funding available from senior levels of government.
Coun. Gavin Bates was interested about current registration fees and how they compared to other regional communities.
Coun. Janice Wing told council she had the same concern for the Dolphins as she did last year, and that was getting enough participants.
“The reduction of swimmers registered was a problem last year and remains a problem and I wonder if there's an opportunity for them to redo their business plan as far as how they use the pool, how many hours a week and how many swimmers at a time,” said Wing.
“And potentially, if they don’t need as much time in the pool that may free up public swimming time in the summertime when families would like to go swimming as well.”
Following council, Jenkins told the Albertan the Dolphins request would be put to council at its regular meeting on May 27 if the club comes back to the town with answers from the many questions asked by town council on May 21.
