SUNDRE — A local organization's request to carry over previously approved funding for next year was approved.
Reading from background information included in council’s agenda package for the Nov. 1 meeting, Linda Nelson, chief administrative officer, said the municipality had received a request from the Sundre Curling Club to carry over to next year some funds for roof repairs that had earlier this summer been approved through the Grants to Organizations Committee.
Council had approved at the June 13 meeting the club’s application for funding in the amount of $11,616 along with an additional $18,348 for the emergent roof repair to the facility.
“The approval was contingent on a successful allocation of $50,000 from the Community Facility Enhancement and Alberta Tourism Grant program,” said Nelson.
“This program has specific application deadlines and they were unable to apply until they had confirmation that the funding from the town would be approved, so the application could not be submitted until after the June 15 deadline.”
However, the club remains optimistic about the odds of successfully acquiring funding through the CFEP as well as the Alberta Tourism Grant, and thus requested the municipality’s allocation of funding be carried over to 2023, she said.
Administration presented council with two motions, one to approve and another to refuse, with a recommendation to grant the club’s request to carry over the funds to replace the roof in 2023 in the amount of $29,964.
Coun. Todd Dalke asked how much the club’s roof repair project was expected to cost overall.
“Will the repairs be able to be completed with only $29,964?” said Dalke, who pointed out that in the absence of additional government grant funding, there would only be enough in the bank for “another patch job” that would just end up being “a waste of money.”
“They also have money set aside,” said Nelson, who added the total estimate of the work is close to $100,000.
“They’ve asked for the $30,000 from us, they have $20,000 set aside, and then they’re applying for the $50,000,” she said.
Speaking in favour of approving the request, mayor Richard Warnock said council knows the curling rink needs the work done and had already approved the funding.
“We need to support them I believe,” said Warnock.
Council proceed to carry the recommended motion to approve the club’s request unopposed.
