Cold Lake, AB – Seventeen grant applications were brought to council for final approval on April 8.

Of these applications, 16 fell under the Community Recreation, Art, Culture, and Heritage Investment (CRACH) Grant and one application was under the Community Capital Grant. However, the Community Grant Advisory Committee recommended moving two of the CRACH applications under the Community Capital Grant, as the requests made in the applications were a better fit for capital projects.

“The Advisory Committee puts in a lot of hours to go through these grant applications, before presenting council with their recommendations,” said Mayor Craig Copeland. “We really appreciate all their hard work in going through so many applications each month.”

Including the reallocated applications, the Community Capital Grant requests were approved for the following:

• 784 Wing Royal Canadian Airforce Association in the amount of $23,321 for roof replacement
• David Plane for Camp Vanier in the amount of $2,340 for picnic tables and support blocks to lift the Club Hut
• Lakeland Gymnastics Club Society in the amount of $5,517 for the purchase of flooring and maximizers

Of the remaining 14 CRACH grant applications, which had a total request of $197,340, the Community Grant Advisory Committee recommended approving a total funding amount of $77,200, as the CRACH program has an annual budget of $250,000, with $31,500 having already been distributed this year.

“Council understands the Advisory Committee is trying to manage cash flow in order to make funds available through the rest of the calendar year,” said Copeland. “There would have been very little left had everything been recommended for the full amount.”

Council agreed with the recommendations, voting to allocate funding to the following:

• Bonnyville Health Foundation in the amount of $10,000 for sponsorship of the Annual Hospital Gala
• 1^st Kinosoo Scout Group in the amount of $2,000 for summer camp programming
• Krissy Lorenzo in the amount of $700 for event venue rental
• Cold Lake Agricultural Society in the amount of $10,000 for sponsorship of the Chuckwagon Race
• Cold Lake Ball Hockey in the amount of $1,500 for hosting exhibition games and equipment
• Cold Lake Filipino Basketball League in the amount of $2,000 for event venue rental
• Cold Lake Regional Chamber of Commerce in the amount of $6,000 for hosting Business of the Year Awards
• Connected Media Inc o/a Lakeland Connect in the amount of $3,000 for sponsorship of Ribfest
• Flight Athletics Inc in the amount of $5,000 for sponsorship of competition
• Hearts for Healthcare Inc. in the amount of $25,000 for sponsorship of annual gala
• James Purdy in the amount of $1,000 for sponsorship of MS Walk event
• Lakeland Lacrosse Association in the amount of $5,000 for sponsorship of hosting Ice Melter Tournament
• Sean McMillan in the amount of $1,000 in support of hosting Diving for Cancer fundraiser
• Titans Boxing Club in the amount of $5,000 in sponsorship annual boxing event

Eligibility for the CRACH grant recently changed, and the Grant Advisory Committee now meets monthly to review applications.

“They do a lot of the tough leg work before bringing everything to council for a decision,” said Copeland. “We’re very fortunate to have these dedicated volunteers working hard behind the scenes.”

Those interested in applying for a board or committee position can view current opportunities at www.coldlake.com/boards

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