Five organizations in the Banff-Cochrane constituency are benefitting from more than $105,00 worth of community enhancement funding.
MLA Cam Westhead presented the cheques – ranging from $1,346 to $75,000 – during his constituency meeting, titled Coffee With Cam, at the Heritage House Coffee Co. in Cochrane on March 23.
The money was delivered through the Community Initiative Program, which funds initiatives that enhance and enrich communities throughout Alberta using revenue generated from provincial lotteries.
The cheques presented were: $1,346 to St. Timothy’s School to purchase library books, $1,618 to Calgary’s Children’s International Summer Village Association for their Canada Peace Bus project, $10,612 to Rage Minor Football Association for equipment purchases, $16,917 to Spray Lake Sawmill Recreation Park Society for equipment purchases for the sports centre, and $75,000 to Alpine Canada Alpin for Nakiska Ski Cross World Cup hosting.
The highest project-based or operating grant that can be given is $75,000 while the highest international development grant that can be given is $25,000.
Westhead also speaking with constituents to gauge what people in the area see as the most pressing issues for the provincial government to address. The meeting was part of a series of scheduled chats throughout the constituency. Also in attendance at the event was Alberta Health Minister Sarah Hoffman.
According to Westhead, he’s heard about a variety of concerns, all of which he intends to address and deliver to the proper ministers.
“People have had a lot of concerns about healthcare, midwife care in this riding. And that’s something Minister Hoffman has been aware of and is working on that issue. Also environmental issues such as protection of our watersheds, natural environment and that kind of thing,” Westhead explained.
He also referenced the release of the federal budget and what it will mean for his constituency.
“Here, in Cochrane, people are interested in the transportation side of things, like the Highway 1A and Highway 22 intersection and the widening of the highways and so that’s certainly something I’m going to be keenly looking forward to in the budget as well.”
Westhead was “very impressed” with the turnout in Cochrane and plans to continue holding regular chats throughout his term.
“Having a more general awareness of what people are talking about and the issues that they’re concerned about is something that helps me do my job better.”
