Olds town council agreed to donate a piece of artwork to Mount View Lodge reflecting local artists within the community at its regular meeting on May 23. The cost of the donation is to not exceed $1,000.
There was widespread support for the measure, with councillors Harvey Walsh and Arvin Bull both expressing interest in the measure. Other municipalities throughout Mountain View County have donated between $500 and $1,000 to the lodge.
“Given the venue at which this art would be displayed, I would like it to (depict) Olds' heritage,” said Coun. Murray Ball.
Debbie Bennett-Dubak, Olds councillor and chair of Mountain View Seniors' Housing board of directors, said the request was put out from the board to all municipalities within Mountain View County to donate as well.
“Originally it started with … the Mountain View Seniors' Housing board. We know of other institutions that boards have donated a work of art on behalf of that board … so we thought it would be a nice gesture. We have a lot of wall space (at the lodge) and it's going to be their home so … we thought it would be lovely to add something to their home,” she said.
Requests were sent out to each municipality within the county to donate to the lodge. Thus far, no other municipality has indicated it would donate to the lodge, but Sam Smalldon, chief administrative officer of MVSH, said other municipalities may not have had time yet to discuss the request. Bennett-Dubak said while it would be preferable to have the donation ready by the grand opening on June 13, if that deadline isn't reached, the lodge would still recognize the contribution on that date and receive it later.
The funding for the donation would come from town council's $7,000 promotions and public relations budget.
