Rocky View County council approved $688,443 in recreational funding to assist more than 60 community groups June 4.
“These community groups play a vital role in the well-being of county residents, and we are happy to support them,” said Reeve Rolly Ashdown.
Community organizations are able to request financial assistance for the cost of operating their facilities and programs through the County’s Community Recreation Funding program. Council approves the requests annually. The money is generated through annual taxes on residential properties.
Ten recreation boards will receive the following funding:
• Bearspaw Glendale - $111,012
• Beiseker and District - $20,000
• Bow North - $97,100
• Chestermere-Conrich - $20,000
• Crossfield and District - $30,000
• Madden - $12,000
• Ranch Lands - $36,600
• Rocky View Central - $29,600
• Rocky View East - $47,306
• Rocky View West - $284,815
Councillor Al Sacuta asked administration why Bragg Creek Community Centre is receiving $198,000 of Rocky View West’s total funding.
“It would be interesting to know why their operational costs are so much higher,” he asked.
Dari Lang, recreational services coordinator, said the Bragg Creek Community Centre will be presenting an outline of its operations to council June 18, which will provide clarification.
“Going forward, we need less of a tax subsidy for these facilities because they’re supposed to be sustainable. We need to take a look at the tax benefits,” said Councillor Lois Habberfield.
The County has an overall budget of $1,022,609 to support community groups in the county for 2013. The approval of the annual operational facility funding represents 67 per cent of the total budget. The remaining funds will be used to support community organizations with projects such as repairs and renovations on facilities.
Council also approved a $52,500 funding request from the Irricana Curling Club to help cover the cost of replacing the ice plant at the rink.
