Rocky View County council approved recreational funding requests for five community groups in the County at a meeting, May 28.
Deputy Reeve Paul McLean was supportive of the requests because he said it is important to provide the residents with recreational and cultural opportunities. Four of the five requests were from his division, which covers the northwest quadrant of the County around Cochrane.
“I think this is investing back into the group so they can invest back into the community themselves,” he said.
He added the money invested by council becomes “multiplying dollars” because these organizations, in turn, often invest in other community groups.
Universal Rehabilitation Services Agency (URSA), a non-profit organization that provides general services to people with disabilities, will receive capital funding of $21,020.
The funds will be used to build a gazebo on URSA’s camp grounds located northwest of Cochrane, and to buy a Trailrider, which is a mobility device that allows people with disabilities to travel over any kind of rugged terrain. The funds represent 50 per cent of the total projected cost.
The Cochrane Lions Club will receive $6,000, which is about 25 per cent of the $24,500 project cost, to upgrade and make repairs to the Cochrane Lions Rodeo Grounds.
The costs include removing and replacing the panels, timing chutes and gates; landscaping; buying new sand and gravel; and general work on the grounds.
“A lot of the members are rural residents and use this venue,” said McLean.
The Friends of Westbrook School Society (FWSS) requested $15,000, about 50 per cent of the total project cost, to build a new sport court surface area at the Westbrook School. FWSS’s application said it “would like to increase recreational opportunities that exist in the greater Westbrook area” and a new sports court “will provide an outdoor activity centre for residents in the immediate and surrounding area.”
Councillor Lois Habberfield said that it was “nice to see” Rocky View School Board match the requested $15,000.
The Cochrane and Area Events Society, which puts on festivals such as WinterFest, SummerFest and the Labour Day Parade, will receive $1,000 towards the $3,150 cost of buying a storage trailer.
The group said in their application that this will save time and money as it would allow equipment and materials for the events to be stored at one location.
Additionally, council approved recreational funding for the Delacour Ag Society and Community Club (DASCC) to help cover the cost of replacing four furnaces in the Delacour Hall. DASCC will receive $7,5000, about 50 per cent of the total project cost.
