A newly-announced $10-million provincial grant program designed to help agricultural societies reduce emissions and operating costs at their respective facilities is welcome news, say local members.
Agricultural societies operate hundreds of facilities across the province, including dozens in this region. Those facilities include community halls, curling rinks, hockey arenas, rodeo grounds and community fair venues.
There are area agricultural societies in Carstairs, Sundre, Didsbury and Cremona.
Cody Jackson is the president of the Sundre and District Agricultural Society. He says the local organization will certainly be pursuing some of the grant money.
“I’m sure there will be some discussion on it to see how we can get some of that money,” Jackson told the Gazette. “There’s a lot of money there so I’m sure there will be a way of getting some of it.”
The money could go towards supporting various society facilities, including the local pool and curling rink, he said.
This week the Sundre board will be discussing the grant program and plans to apply for some of the funding, he said.
Sundre agricultural society member groups include the Mountain View High School Rodeo Association, Chinook’s Edge Pony Club, and Bergen Farmers’ Market.
Oneil Carlier is the provincial minister of agriculture and forestry.
“This new $10-million grant program will support technologies that help them reduce greenhouse gas emissions and facility operating cost, including improving lighting, heating, ventilation and rink/arena equipment,” Carlier said in a press release.
“Alberta’s agricultural sector wants to do its part to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. This one-time investment will allow our agricultural societies to demonstrate environmental leadership, while continuing to enhance the quality of life in communities they serve.”
An estimated 260 agricultural societies that operate facilities will be eligible for the funding to help them with the more than 3,000 community activities they’re involved in each year, such as rodeos, fairs, farmers markets, 4-H activities, agriculture and farm safety education, and scholarships, he said.
Tim Carson is the CEO of the Alberta Association of Agricultural Societies.
“Many of Alberta’s agricultural facilities are aging, and this grant will provide an opportunity to update buildings, improve energy efficiency and reduce increasing operating costs in the long term,” said Carson.
“Our ag societies, and these facilities, are essential to a high quality of life for Albertans, and this support helps relieve some of the rising financial pressure on societies so they can continue to do important work in their communities.”
Other area agricultural societies could not be reached for comment at press time Monday.
The grant program will be paid for through 2018-19 Climate Leadership Plan funds.
“Eligible initiatives under the grant program include retroactive and future activities that are measurable, increase energy efficiency and reduce greenhouse gas emissions, with results being reportable to the Alberta Climate Change Office,” said Carlier.
