The St. Albert Legion will get some money from the city to help offset the cost of unexpected roof repairs, just not as much as it was hoping for.
City council endorsed an amended motion Monday night to grant the Legion $53,333 to help it recoup the cost of the replacement performed last year, one which the group had planned for but the severity of which was unexpected.
"We were happy we were getting the funding and getting it now rather than being tossed back in the bucket," said Dave Frizell, Legion first vice-president and treasurer.
The total cost of replacing the Legion's part of the roof, which it shares with the Cornerstone Society, came to $106,000 that, combined with carpeting and other renovations, drove what was a $58,000 capital project to approximately $160,000, forcing the Legion into deficit. The group approached council in December, asking for financial assistance, at which time council implored them to submit an application to the Community Capital Grant Program.
The group never applied because it believed it would not be eligible. An administration report, which recommended granting the Legion $85,000, stated the group did not have the required two-thirds funding in place, a requirement to receive up to a third of the cost in funding from the Community Capital Grant Program, administered by the Community Services Advisory Board (CSAB). The program is also for projects that have not yet been started or completed. In the Legion's case, the roof had already been repaired.
Coun. Cathy Heron amended the $85,000 figure to $53,333 — one-third the cost of the total $160,000 renovation —saying the city's policies need to be respected.
"There needs to be some respect for the role of [CSAB] and the grants that they administer," said Heron, who served on the CSAB for six years and as chair for two.
One speaker Monday asked council to deny all funding for the Legion. Joe Obermeyer, a former Legion member, said the group should be treated like any other private business.
"The simple fact is this is a business, a liquor-dispensing business and that they have charitable organizations is beside the point," Obermeyer told council.
Frizell said the Legion's first priority would be retiring the debt from the roof work, after which it will look at finishing other work, such as repairing its parking lot.
Grants awarded
Council also unanimously endorsed the recipients of the Community Capital Grant Program on Monday.
The Visual Arts Studio Association (VASA) received $18,000 to improve accessibility and the streetscape at the Hemingway Centre. The St. Albert Curling Club got $38,000 for renovations to the ice area and completing renovations to its front. The Friends of the Northern Alberta International Children's Festival Society got $46,667 for its custom-built seat risers. Ronald Harvey School Development Society received $13,286 for playground equipment replacement and St. Albert Minor Baseball qualified for $11,256 for facility renovations and enhancements at Legion Memorial Park.
