The city has handed out $207,000 to 10 community groups through an annual grant program.
Council on Monday approved recommendations for the community capital grant program. The funding will help pay for projects ranging from new storage facilities to upgrades to aging kitchen facilities.
"The city has been good at running this program," said community services advisory board chair Cathy Heron, the group that made the recommendations to council. "Some of these groups wouldn't be able to do these projects without them."
Coun. Carol Watamaniuk questioned the wisdom of approving renovation funds for the St. Albert Youth Community Centre located in Grandin mall, a structure set for redevelopment. Watamaniuk asked administration how long the youth group's lease was, saying it didn't make sense to renovate the place if they were only there for another year or so. Jardine said they were signed on for seven years, alleviating the concern.
Watamaniuk also asked about granting the Star of the North Retreat House $40,000 for renovations and upgrades, pointing out the group's affiliation with the Catholic Church. She was informed that the retreat house is an arms-length affiliate and is a registered non-profit organization open to the public, a requirement for receiving the grant.
Administration was later asked to find out if religious organizations could receive non-profit status.
Mayor Nolan Crouse asked about the awarding of a $40,000 grant to the Friends of Vital Grandin School for a playground renovation, stating that a survey done in the last year showed there was another playground that was more in need of work.
While the other playground might be older, the structure at Vital Grandin needs more work, said general manager of community and protective services Chris Jardine.
Soccer turned down
The only group that was turned down was the St. Albert Soccer Club's request for $500,000 to help cover the cost of installing new turf on the fields at Riel Park. Heron said the request from the soccer club would have eaten the entire grant fund.
"It's not that we don't think it wasn't a great project," said Heron. "If we had given them all of the money, then we wouldn't be able to help anyone else."
