SUNDRE – A number of local groups recently had their applications for funding either partly or fully approved by council through a municipal program intended to support non-profit organizations, charities, and local business operators who meet specific criteria.
According to background briefing information included in council’s agenda package for the June 26 meeting, the grants to organization policy allows for up to three rounds of intakes for applications every year. Applications are considered by a review committee that is comprised of some council members prior to being brought back for a final decision during a regular council meeting.
Council had previously approved $50,000 in funding for the program in 2023, and following the first round of applications this past February had already awarded more than half of that amount.
There were eight applications submitted in the second intake amounting to a total requested amount of $31,691.35, with the review committee recommending full or partial funding for all applicants amounting to a total of $22,491.
The Sundre West Country Centre had requested $3,500 to help cover the cost of purchasing an automated external defibrillator as well as installing handrails for emergency basement exists and upholstering 57 chairs. Council recognized the centre’s benefit to the community and ended up approving $1,500.
The Sundre & District Chamber of Commerce sought $9,941 to replace the Visitor Information Centre’s septic tank. Council agreed that as one of the first places westbound visitors see coming into Sundre from the east, the information centre is important and should offer travellers who’ve potentially been on the road for hours access to washroom facilities. The full amount requested was approved.
Organizers of the Broncs, Bulls and Wagons event had applied for $5,000 to help out with promotional advertising and equipment rental. Council acknowledged the additional economic boost the mini-rodeo brings to Sundre and ended up approving $3,000.
The Sundre Community Choir and Handbells asked for $750 to purchase new music and accessories, and council agreed to approve the full amount.
The Sundre Pickleball Association had sought $3,500 for the purchase of a windscreen for the pickleball and tennis courts behind Sundre High School. Council recognized the importance of groups that enhance the variety of locally available recreational activities, and was approved for a sum of $1,000.
The new Youth Hoops Basketball Camp applied for $2,000 to cover the expense of providing program participants with hustle awards including water bottles, basketballs, lunch, t-shirts. Fully supportive of initiatives that encourage youth to be more physically active, council ended up approving $800.
The Sundre & District Allied Arts Society has been raising funds and working on plans to install new flooring in the Sundre Arts Development Centre’s audience seating area. The group requested $6,500. Acknowledging the society’s importance as a cultural draw in the community that also offers youth an opportunity to explore performance arts, council decided to approve $5,000.
The last application considered was for a request of $500 from the Play 4 Sundre Kidz group that raises funds to support youth sport participation, which council approved in full.
Council then carried two final motions: one allocating the remaining $1,604 to the council discretionary fund, and another directing administration to advertise that a third intake in 2023 will not be considered.
