Town councillors have OK'd the waiver of the rental fees on the Sundre diamonds for the Sno-Pitch Swing For Charity Sno-pitch tournament on March 5 ñ 6.
Council defeated a second motion asking for a waiver of the $200 fee for rental of the Sundre Community Centre for the cabaret on March 5.
The diamond rental fee for two days would have been $350.
In a note to council, tournament organizers said waiving the fees would benefit the three community groups being supported by the tournament this year.
ìThe donation of the centre and ball diamond use would be an important part of the tournament and would allow for the committee to disburse greater funds,î said organizers.
ìIn the past five years, we have donated over $50,000 to many worthwhile charities and groups. Our aim is to target organizations that benefit the entire community.î
Groups being supported by this year's tournament are the Sundre Fire and Rescue Society, Sundre River Valley School, and the Sundre and District Aquaplex, organizers said.
During last week's council meeting, council Pat Toone said waiving the fee for the centre would set an unacceptable precedent for other non-profit groups and events.
In a note to council, interim CAO Wanda Watson Neufeld said donating the rental fee (for the centre) would set a negative precedent for future non-profit events.
Co-organizer Quinn Murphy spoke to council about the tournament, saying security will be in place during the cabaret and a ride home program will also be in place.
He explained that tournament organizers are the ones who decide which groups and organizations receive tournament proceeds.
Councillor Myron Thompson said organizers should consider giving some of the future proceeds to a skateboard project in Sundre.
