Red Deer County communities have received more than $225,000 in grants through the Rural Community Facility Capital Assistant Grant program.
During the Nov. 4 Red Deer County council meeting, councillors approved 20 grants to community centres and associations in all six divisions for a total of $227,679.
Level 1 facilities have operating expenses greater than $20,000, Level 2s' expenses are between $10,000 and $20,000, Level 3 facilities cost as little as $5,000 to operate yearly, while any facility under $5,000 is deemed a Level 4. Unranked facilities operate without county funding.
According to county administration, it is expected that funds from the grant program will be supplemented by volunteer labour and fundraising, private partnerships and other funding efforts.
“The Rural Community Facility Capital Assistant Grant program is a great option for the county,” Jo-Ann Symington, Red Deer County community services manager told the Gazette. “The residents, boards and associations provide labour and skills and the county provides money.”
With a total budget of $250,000, requisitions (total project costs) of close to $345,000 came in, with community contributions accounting for $128,000 in cash and in-kind donations.
The majority of the funding requests were earmarked for community halls with the exception of the Dickson Store Museum (windows) and Markerville Society (picnic shelter).
Jim Wood, mayor of Red Deer County, sees community halls as important gathering areas for residents.
“This is some of the best money the county spends,” said Wood. “Investing in their halls keeps their communities alive.”
Under the program, Elnora will receive $10,000, the Cottonwood Gordon Ag. Society $25,000, Spruce View Community Association $19,603, and the Little Red Deer Community Hall $10,000, for their respective projects.
"The Rural Community Facility Capital Assistant Grant program is a great option for the county." Jo-Ann Symington
