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Chestermere grant program aims to enhance community services

A City of Chestermere community grant program is gearing up to infuse some life into the city, providing funding for projects that will enhance the community following the COVID-19 pandemic.

A City of Chestermere community grant program is gearing up to infuse some life into the city, providing funding for projects that will enhance the community following the COVID-19 pandemic.

According to Marla Polachek, coordinator of support services for the City, the program will advance opportunities to enhance local amenities. She added each applicant selected has proposed a project that will benefit residents and facilitate local activities that “engage a broad section of the community.”

“This program provides various agencies and organizations the ability to play a part in their community’s recovery by enhancing opportunities for residents to reconnect with one another as we emerge from the pandemic,” she said.

The total amount of funding distributed to Chestemerians in 2021 is $96,779, leaving an additional $32,220 to be carried over to the 2022 grant funding cycle.

The grant project was first announced in May, when a total of 18 applicants submitted requests totalling $278,333 in funding. Recommendations for grant funding were approved at a regular City council meeting on July 6 and the money will be distributed once official documentation has been completed.

“We are excited to announce that City council has accepted the Community Grant Funding Adjudication Committee’s recommendations, and that 12 amazing projects will now receive funding for programming that benefits our residents and facilitates local community activities,” said Coun. Michelle Young, chair of the Community Grant Funding Adjudication Committee, in a press release.

The committee evaluated applications against a number of criteria for projects that will improve local amenities in areas such as sports and recreation, arts and culture, history and the well-being of Chestermere residents. Polachek said applications were also evaluated to determine if the projects aligned with City council’s strategic priorities.

“Other evaluation criteria included determining the community need for the projects, the effectiveness of the implementation plan, and the value demonstrated in the project budget,” she said.

Recommendations for grant funding recipients included the Chestermere Food Bank to be put toward the purchase of new vehicles for deliveries, Chestermere Public Library for initiatives focusing on mental health, and the Rotary Club of Chestermere for the pursuit of an edible garden program.

Additional recipients included Chestermere Minor Hockey for a development program for girls aged five to 18 years old, and Lake Ridge Community Church for its second annual rocket derby event.

“We have received feedback from the agencies regarding their excitement in being awarded funding and how they are looking forward to bringing their activities out to the community,” Polachek said.

She added the City has not received feedback from community members yet, as many projects are slated for later in the year or early 2022. An additional call for community grant applications will occur in the spring of 2022, with funding subject to annual budget approval by Chestermere City council.

To learn more about the Chestermere Community Grant program, or to submit an application for grant funding, visit chestemere.ca/communitygrants. For a full list of award recipients, visit bit.ly/374lepw

Follow me on Twitter @carmenrcundy  

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