Armstrong’s new grants policy is already getting a workout.
The city is moving ahead with a new grants-in-aid policy for community initiatives and first out of the gate is the Armstrong Curling Club’s homecoming celebration.
“We’ve put their request through the grant-in-aid process and we will see if we can come up with more money,” said Coun. Paul Britton.
The club was recently denied federal funding for the May homecoming, which will celebrate Canada’s 150th anniversary and the club’s history.
“To my knowledge, this event will be one of the biggest, if not the biggest one-time event planned for our community in 2017,” said Terri Nicholson, club president, in a letter.
Even with some expenses cut and volunteer labour, the club could still be short $5,000.
As a result, the club is requesting $2,500 from the city.
“We are also making this request to the Township of Spallumcheen as this event will bring people from out of town to both communities and our members come from the wider community,” said Nicholson.
Britton expects the city will assist the club although a dollar figure hasn’t been officially determined.
“We will work with Spallumcheen on this,” he said.
The city may also consider a grant for the local Royal Canadian Legion branch because provincial regulations do not allow property taxes to be exempted for the branch’s lounge.
“The legion has been notified of this situation and has been invited to submit a grant-in-aid application in lieu of the inability to grant a tax exemption,” said Terry Martens, Armstrong’s chief financial officer, in a report.
Under a tax exemption, the total amount of affected taxes for all agencies would have been $2,700, with $1,800 from the city. If the city provides a grant of $1,800, the legion is still $900 short for the rest of the taxes.