Three organizations across the region have addressed areas of concern with the help of the Alberta Culture and Tourism Community Facility Enhancement Program (CFEP).
The CFEP is a grant program that offers funding to public-use facilities throughout the province. Organizations apply for the grant based on size. Smaller facilities can apply for up to $125,000 in funding, while up to $1 million is available for higher volume centres.
Both the Bonnyville Golf and Country Club and the Glendon Arena have received the maximum $125,000 from the small funding stream, while the Bonnyville Seniors Drop In Centre received $18,112.
“The grant programs were established to help non-profit organizations meet local needs. They're on the ground, seeing what the community needs in terms of social, cultural and recreational projects,” explained Barb Toker of the Alberta Culture and Tourism communications department.
In order to receive funding, each of the applicants had to match what they were asking through community fundraising.
Residents using the facilities can already enjoy the upgrades the CFEP grant provides. On the golf course, the money was put towards a new pump system.
“This was a fairly ambitious goal for our club. We were really relying on this grant and getting some help from the Town and MD of Bonnyville. Our course cannot operate without a working pump system. We were at risk of having to close down. That could have had a very negative ripple effect on the community,” explained Heather Rymut, executive member at the Bonnyville Golf and Country Club.
The upgrades come as part of a larger $1.5 million restoration to the irrigation system on the course.
At the Glendon Arena, the $125,000 will be put towards replacing the current ice plant. Though it provided over three decades of service, the ice plant was nearing the end of its time.
“If we didn't get this funding, we couldn't look at replacing the ice plant. We would have to rely on band-aid fixes as we have in the past. It was pivotal,” said Stacey Sandmeyer of the Glendon Ag Society. “Our plant is between 30 and 35 years old. We hope to get the same out of this one. The future is looking bright for our arena.”
Meanwhile, the local drop in centre completed repairs to their roof, and purchased a commercial stove.
Much like the golf course, the funding comes to the centre when they need it most. The old roof was showing signs of instability, and was ready to turn into a much bigger problem.
“It's a good thing we fixed the portion of the roof we did, because it was just about ready to fall through on us,” said Germain Prybysh, president of the centre.
With the help of the Town and MD of Bonnyville to match the grant, each organization was able to take care of essential renovations. According to Toker, this helps provide the region with a strong recreational base.
“These projects funded by the grant ultimately help to strengthen the community. Whether it's a large facility project, or even a small one, it generates local employment, and new opportunities for local businesses.”
