The RVC Governance Committee designated its emergency recreation funds for the upcoming year at its Dec. 6 meeting.
Funding requests included $17,940 in emergency funding for the Dartique Community Association, as well as $6,100 to the Beiseker and District Agricultural Society to repair an unanticipated leak in the ice floor of the Doug Hagel Arena in Beiseker.
Funds for the Dartique Community Association will help to repair its hall.
The Association operates the longstanding Dartique Community Hall that supports the immediate area through community events and private bookings.
Capital funding up to $39,560 was approved by the County in 2022 to support the replacement of the supporting bottom logs that act as the foundation for the community hall.
The project started and additional damages to the logs were identified, including extensive rot to the bottom logs and a large quantity of bats and guano in the gables.
They identified that these repairs must be addressed immediately as the community hall would not be operational without the repairs being completed, the emergency funds approved on Dec. 6 would cover 100 per cent of the repair costs.
The association informed Administration that they are unable to contribute to these costs as their reserve funds are being allocated to their kitchen renovation project.
A funding request for 50 per cent of the kitchen renovation project was approved through the County’s community grant program in June, and the Association would not be able to complete this renovation in the two years that is allotted for approved capital funding requests if their reserve money is redirected to the additional repairs to the bottom logs.
The Beiseker and District Agricultural Society asked the County for emergency funding requests over the 25 per cent funding limit for neighbouring municipalities.
The funds would cover approximately 50 per cent of the total project.
Without the repair, the arena is at risk of shutting down, according to the Society.
Administration noted that more County residents use the facility than Beiseker residents and that the facility closure will directly affect RVC residents as the main users of the facility.
The closure will also result in the loss of the Arena’s rental income, causing an additional financial strain on the budget as the Society has already noted a deficit in its projected yearly revenue.
The Society is currently formulating strategies to optimize its revenue generation options for the new year, including rental increases and fundraising opportunities.
Operational funding approved for Springbank Park for All Seasons
Lastly, also on Dec.6 the Recreation Governance Committee approved a three-year operational funding agreement for the Springbank Park for All Seasons.
The 2021 Recreation and Parks Master plan noted a recommendation that administration should explore the option of three-year funding agreements with larger County facilities that have a history of operational assistance requests.
The plan notes that providing the three-year agreements to these facilities can provide a better sense of financial security when planning their operational budget.
Additionally, the agreements allow administration to adequately anticipate all the total amounts of operational funding that may be requested from all the recreation and culture service providers.
Despite the agreement, the facility may still apply for capital grants in accordance with policy C-317, and also features accountabilities for the facility to encourage further financial sustainability such as fundraising plans, capital and lifecycle plans, audited financials and three-year budgets.
Future three-year operational funding agreements will be crafted with the Bearspaw Lifestyle Centre, Bragg Creek Community Association, as well as the Indus Recreation Centre, administration noted.
“Very good policy, I think it’s very clear and I think it’s going to have some pretty good advantages as far as these groups understanding what their funding source is going to be over a longer period of time and there is some flexibility relative to modifying it should their facilities be expanded,” said Deputy Reeve Don Kochan. “I also see it covers inflationary aspects.”
