SUNDRE — The municipal council has renewed its commitment to continue supporting the Sundre Hospital Legacy Gala, which returns next week for the first time since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Linda Nelson, chief administrative officer, presented to council during the regular Oct. 17 meeting some historical context on what previous councils had done in the past.
In 2017, the council of the day waived the Sundre Community Centre’s rental fee and also purchased a full table for mayor and councillors, said Nelson.
A similar approach was taken in 2018 as well as 2019, with council again waiving the community centre’s rental fee but this time reserving two tables, she said.
“And of course in 2020 and 2021, there was no gala due to the pandemic,” she said.
Hosted by the Sundre Hospital Futures Committee, the gala is scheduled for Nov. 19. Tables for eight cost $800 while individual tickets are available for $125.
“I’ve been on this committee for quite a few years and it’s done a lot of things for the community,” said Coun. Chris Vardas, adding he wanted to see the rental fee waived and at least one table purchased.
“I’ve already purchased a table for the group I’m going to sit with,” he said, adding council should also show its support.
“And we haven’t been able to do it for a few years. It’s pretty exciting to be able to do it again.”
Mayor Richard Warnock agreed council should support the gala.
“We need to honour the fact that the hospital futures has really raised some money,” Warnock said, later calling the hospital a critical asset when people are considering whether to relocate to Sundre.
Council went on to carry a motion to waive the community centre’s rental fee and reserve two tables; one for members of council and another for their spouses if they choose to attend, but must cover the cost of their own tickets.
“We shouldn’t ask the town to pay for our spouses to attend,” the mayor said.
