The Recreation Governance Committee approved community grant funding to 15 organizations for operational funds and five others for capital funds.
Additionally, emergency funds were approved for the Dartique Community Association and the Beiseker & District Agricultural Society, as well as a three-year operational funding agreement with Springbank Park for All Seasons.
Operational funding requests
Operational funding requests in the amount of $173,685 were approved from the 2023 Recreation Tax Levy.
A total of approximately $600,000 in operational funding is available in the 2023 Recreation Tax Levy to be distributed to eligible non-profit organizations.
Administration presented 15 operational funding requests, including one late submission, which totalled just over $180,000.
The Community Recreation and Culture Grant Funding Policy C-317 facilitates funding to support recreational and cultural development, ongoing partnerships, and enhancing access to community facilities, services, and programs.
The Recreation Governance Committee evaluates and approves grant applications based on Policy C-317, the Recreation and Parks Master Plan, and Administration’s review.
Council noted that salaries can be part of the grant application process as of the March 2024 intake.
Remaining funds in the program go into the public reserve for capital funding, administration said.
Swamp Donkey Musical Theatre Society, a non-profit performing arts organization in Bragg Creek that provides theatrical education and performance opportunities to foster skill development and build community, will receive $35,000.
The Swamp Donkey Musical Theatre Society rents its own space within Bragg Creek and serves 1,619 County and 207 non-County residents, according to their application.
The Society noted a $600 per month rental increase in accordance with the terms of their five-year lease agreement.
The Jumping Pound Community Hall Society will receive its full $7,100 request.
The Society was formally established in 2010 to manage and operate the historical 95-year-old community hall, which serves as a central gathering place for local residents and the general public for celebrations, recreational activities, and events.
While the hall is operated by the society, it is owned by the County.
The Society serves 510 County and 600 non-County residents, according to their application.
The Springbank Heritage Club, which provides community space for the social, cultural, educational, and recreational needs of seniors and other residents, will receive $30,000.
Operated by the Springbank Heritage Club, the facility is also owned by the County and serves 133 County and 45 non-County residents, according to their application.
Bike Cochrane Society will receive $1,500 to support its insurance costs.
The Society maintains local trails in the town of Cochrane and the west Rocky View County region. The trails are very popular and extensively used by County residents as a transportation corridor or passive recreation, according to RVC.
It is estimated that the trails are used by 4,000 County and 30,000 non-County residents every year, according to their application.
The Dartique Community Association, will receive $13,500, for operating the longstanding Dartique Community Hall that supports the immediate area through private event bookings and various community events throughout the year.
The Dartique Community Hall is owned and operated by the Dartique Community Association, with the majority of users being from RVC’s Division four and surrounding County residents, with some also coming from the Town of Cochrane, according to their application.
The Keoma Community Society will receive $8,500 in operational funds to maintain the Keoma Community Hall, playground, and baseball diamonds for the use of the community and surrounding area.
The Keoma Community Hall is owned and operated by the Keoma Community Society, serving 2,215 County and 220 non-County residents, according to their application.
The Meadowlark Trail Society operates and maintains a portion of the Trans-Canada Trail known as the Meadowlark Trail, in an effort to provide a safe, affordable, and accessible recreational asset within the community.
They will receive $5,000 for operational costs.
Meadowlark Trail is maintained by the Meadowlark Trail Society and is owned by Alberta Trailnet, with the majority of visitors being from the County, primarily from Division five, with other visitors from the Village of Beiseker and the Town of Irricana.
The Society serves approximately 2,768 County and over 2,000 non-County residents, according to their application.
1st Bow Valley Scouts is part of Scouts Canada, which is the country’s leading co-ed youth
organization. They will receive $20,000 to support the costs of the Scouts’ trip to the PAcific Jamboree 2024 on the West Coast.
The Club helps youth build resilience and life skills through a variety of experiences, adventures, and community connections and serves 130 County and five non-County residents, according to their application.
North Rocky View Community Links Society will receive $1,615 to support the operational costs of the Fair Access Program for Rocky View County residents to access Genesis Place and Bert Church Theatre at a reduced cost.
Equal access for County residents is identified in RVC’s inter-municipal costsharing agreement; however, the administrative cost to administer the Fair Access Program is outside of the agreement.
Community Links offer a variety of services and programs that address community issues such as meeting basic needs, financial and/or emotional strain, employment issues, family violence, legal issues, and more.
The Society serves 100 County and 2,879 non-County residents, according to their application.
The Beiseker Minor Hockey Association will receive $17,867 to support their operational costs.
The association strives to provide a safe and enjoyable hockey atmosphere for players aged five to eighteen.
The Beiseker Minor Hockey Association operates out of the Doug Hagel Arena, serving 86 County and 18 non-County residents., according to their application.
Chestermere Curling Association provides an inclusive space for all ages to curl and socialize. The Association will receive $6,500.
They sub-lease spaces from the Chestermere Regional Community Association’s (CRCA) facility and operate independently from the CRCA. The Association serves 230 County and 16 non-County residents, according to their application.
Route 22 Artist Collective Ltd., a volunteer-driven visual arts organization that operates a non-profit gallery, provides arts programming for its members and the community, and hosts special events and collaborative projects and presentations with other arts organizations, will receive $7,500.
The Organization serves approximately 10,000 County and 8,000 non-County residents, according to their application.
Crossfield Playschool, a non-profit parent volunteer-run playschool that offers engaging and playful learning opportunities to children ages three to four, will receive $1,600.
Through a variety of developmentally appropriate activities, the playschool helps children develop their social, physical, intellectual, creative, and emotional skills, according to their application.
Crossfield Playschool Association serves six County and 43 non-County residents.
The Irricana Curling Club, will receive $18,000, and provides social and competitive curling opportunities for all age groups.
The Club operates out of the Irricana Recreation Complex and serves 97 County and seven non-County residents, according to the application.
The Strathmore Lacrosse Club, will receive $11,130, and offers an opportunity for young athletes in Strathmore, Chestermere, Siksika Nation, Langdon, and surrounding rural areas to learn and play box lacrosse.
The Club serves 57 County and 185 non-County residents, according to their application.
