A substantial funding request from St. Albert's Dynamyx Gymnastics Club has led to a discussion of how the city allocates its community capital grant program.
On Monday, city council's community living standing committee discussed eight grant applications received for the program this year, before the list goes back to council for approval. This grant gives not-for-profit groups in St. Albert funding for capital projects, ranging from playground replacement to building renovations.
The $250,000 grant program was oversubscribed this year, with more than $400,000 requested from eight community organizations.
Dynamyx asked for the entire $250,000 grant in their application to renovate and improve their new facility in Campbell Business Park, a project expected to cost $978,474.
With seven other projects to consider, the community services advisory committee (CSAC) recommended Dynamyx receive $94,815 instead, which is still a substantial amount, said Anna Royer, senior adviser of grants and partnerships with recreation and parks.
All other applicants are recommended to get the amounts they asked for.
As Dynamyx’s new facility won’t be open to the public free of charge, Coun. Sheena Hughes questioned whether one organization should be allowed to go after the bulk of the funds for one year.
Hughes pitched the idea of having a funding cap or two-tiered system with applications to take into consideration which projects are meant for public use.
“I’m feeling a little uncomfortable with one (organization) taking so much of the pot right now,” Hughes said. “If we are going to give a lot of money to one organization, I would like to make sure everyone in the community has the opportunity to use it without restrictions.”
Coun. Natalie Joly echoed her support for those considerations when the city starts its grant review process next spring.
In the meantime, Joly put forward a motion to further reduce Dynamyx’s amount to $65,000. The rest of the funds totalling $29,815 would be carried over for next year's round of applications. Organizations are only eligible to receive funding once every two years.
The committee passed the recommendation in a 3-1 vote. Mayor Cathy Heron, councillors Hughes and Joly voted in favour, with Coun. Ken MacKay against.
MacKay said he was in favour of putting in a cap into the city's grant policy in the future, but questioned whether a further reduction was fair to Dynamyx within the current system.
"I do think there should be a cap, but this is the way the current system is,” MacKay said. “I just don’t think it’s fair to the applicant.”
Dynamyx reacts
Cathy Schwer, past president of Dynamyx, said the not-for-profit was disappointed with the committee’s decision to further reduce the grant amount.
The $65,000 covers around seven per cent of the total cost for the project, and the news was difficult to swallow when all the other applicants had received the full amount they requested, she said.
“Dynamyx has been a fixture in the city for 27 years with little financial support or asks from the city,” Schwer said.
The reduced $65,000 amount will mean there will be delays in getting the equipment Dynamyx needs to complete the new space, she said. Dynamyx will take possession of the new 24,512 sq. ft. gym in Campbell Business Park in mid-October.
Schwer said she plans to speak to council on the recommendations at the next council meeting on Sept. 21 to explain what the funds will be used for and to help council understand why the club asked for that amount with the hopes of getting the original $94,815 reinstated.
“Many other municipalities are supporting their gymnastics clubs ... we are a unique sport that does not seem to get recognized by our municipality in St. Albert,” she said.
The seven other projects recommended to council to receive the full amount requested include:
• $65,000 for the Keenooshayo’s Parent Association’s $197,000 playground replacement
• $19,000 for additional play equipment and benches for Sir Alexander Mackenzie school parent association’s $57,013 project
• $2,873 for the St. Albert & District Further Education Association’s $8,619 project to do interior renovations
• $31,888 for the St. Albert Men’s Slowpitch Association’s $95,663 storage compound and lighting refurbishing project
• $3,773 for the St. Albert Nordic Ski Club’s $11,320 project to purchase a groomer to maintain ski trails
• $2,096 for the St. Albert Tennis Club’s $8,383 bench replacement project
• $30,555 to the Star of the North Retreat House’s $91,665 project to give the facility a new coat of paint, along with some safety improvements
