SUNDRE — A local volunteer organization has been granted $10,000 from the municipality, with the door also left open to apply for additional funding.
The Sundre Curling Club had previously submitted an application for $20,000 to cover the cost of emergency roof repairs. According to background information in council’s June 22 meeting agenda that was provided by the organization, the funding was sought to replace sections of roof above the kitchen and lobby area. A quote from Price & Brothers Contracting Ltd. estimated the cost of the work would amount to almost $18,000.
The Grant Review Committee, which considers applications individually and provides suggestions to council, recommended providing $10,000.
Initiating a discussion, Coun. Richard Warnock moved council approve the grant request in the amount of $10,000.
“This is as per the budget, and the funds are there,” said Warnock.
Mayor Terry Leslie asked his council colleagues to reconsider the amount and instead amend the motion to the full $20,000 requested.
“The curling club met all of the criteria that we have set out in our policy,” said Leslie.
“There is in excess of $20,000 still available in that grant (fund) that we have set aside in our budget,” he added.
Furthermore, the mayor said the club submitted its application on time.
“They are the only group to do so.”
He also asked council to consider how the volunteer club would manage to fundraise the remaining balance for the emergency roof repairs in the current economic climate.
Coun. Paul Isaac said the committee was specifically struck by council to carefully consider such applications with a fine tooth comb, and added that while council can make amendments, should nevertheless respect their recommendations.
“I’m assuming they’ve done their homework, so I’m not sure why we would want to make a change,” said Isaac.
Coun. Todd Dalke, who serves on the committee, said the conversation initially considered granting the full amount requested. However, Dalke said just because there was only the one application, does not mean the entire amount should necessarily be awarded. Furthermore, the councillor added that noted in the club’s application was the potential to receive a matching grant, provided they had some funds in place first.
Coun. Cheri Funke, also a member of the committee, said the community has lost so much over the past few months as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic that forced so many cancellations.
“We were hoping that with the leftover money, we would give the community a chance to, once Phase 3 is in place, we’ll be able to open up the community and spur some (economic activity) by having possible events in the future,” said Funke.
The mayor elaborated his position, pointing out that groups that had successfully applied for a grant during the first round of applications might end up returning those monies because of cancellations, and there would thus be funds available for a third intake. Additionally, he said the municipality is anticipating a surplus amounting to hundreds of thousands of dollars.
Dalke said council could at a later date consider providing the remaining $10,000 sought by the club, should the organization not succeed in securing matching funds.
Warnock, who also sits on the committee, said part of the rationale behind the recommendation also included a reluctance to grant nearly the full amount left in the budget for one club when other organizations might also require financial assistance in recovering from the pandemic.
“To be clear, we were trying to reserve some funds for a third intake (of applications),” he said.
The mayor said he appreciated the discussion, which made clear council's support for the curling club while also attempting to strike a balance with other groups that come forward.
Leslie also seemed receptive to the suggestion of leaving the door open for the club to reapply if the organization is unable to obtain matching funds.
Warnock’s motion went on to be carried without opposition.
Council also proceeded to unanimously carry a follow-up motion by Coun. Rob Wolfe to extend the grants to organizations application deadline to July 31, paving the way for a third round of intakes for any groups seeking to host an event to stimulate community spirit in Sundre following the relaunch strategy’s Phase 3, and that council allows the curling club to apply for the balance of the cost for repairing the roof, subject to the volunteer organization applying for matching grants, if available.
