Province supporting non-profits with funding

By Steffanie Costigan - Lethbridge Herald Local Journalism Initiative Reporter on January 20, 2024.

Herald photo by Al Beeber Mac Nichol of the Lethbridge Food Bank poses outside the organization on Friday. It is one of several city groups that is receiving provincial grant funding for projects.

The Alberta government is supporting 271 non-profit organizations with more than $42 million in funding from the Community Facility Enhancement Program.

Numerous Lethbridge organizations and individuals are receiving funding.

Those include The Southern Alberta Art Gallery Association which is getting $1 million for a facility upgrade at SAAG.

CFEP provides funding for community groups to “invest in facilities that support art, culture, heritage, sport and recreation. This in turn ensures that Albertans can access the programs and services they are looking for close to home. For every CFEP grant dollar invested in a community, up to $3 is raised in the community,” says the province.

Tanya Fir, the Minister of Arts, Culture and Status of Women stated in a media release, the investment supports programing and communities.

“Investments in key spaces in our communities not only support new activities and programming but uplift residents and build stronger communities. Our government’s investment recognizes the critical role we can play in enhancing local community spaces where many Albertans come together, from hockey rinks and playgrounds to libraries and museums,” said Fir.

Joseph Schow, the Minister of Sport and Tourism, expressed how investments build the community.

“Investing in community recreation infrastructure binds communities together, builds community spirit and provides new opportunities for residents and our youth to get active in sports. These rehabilitation projects across the province create economic growth by helping spur the desire for Albertans to visit new areas of the province, whether it’s for a hockey tournament or a weekend getaway,” said Schow.

Among Lethbridge recipients are the Lethbridge Food Bank which is receiving $139,520 for a facility upgrade and the Lethbridge Soccer Association which is receiving $171,493 for an upgrade to the Servus Sports Centre.

A grant for $55,413 is being given to the Probe School Council Society for redevelopment of the playground at the west Lethbridge elementary school in Mountain Heights.

And a grant of $267,025 will be going to Royal Canadian Legion Branch Poppy Fund General Stewart Branch No. 4 for facility construction at the Lethbridge Legion Hall.

The German Canadian Club of Lethbridge is getting $45,166 for a facility upgrade.

The LINK Pathway Committee is getting $1 million for facility construction.

Other grant recipients include the Cardston and County Pickleball Association which is getting $61,600 for the town square tennis court and the Claresholm Child Care Society, which is receiving $30,489 for playground redevelopment. The Claresholm Community Centre Association is getting $125,000 for a facility upgrade. The Kinsmen Club of Claresholm is receiving $100,000 for development of Amundsen Park.

Willow Creek Agricultural Society in Claresholm is getting $533,572 for facility construction at the Claresholm Agriplex.

The Burdett Centennial Recreation Centre is getting $20,406 for an upgrade to the Burdett Hall.

A grant of $50,000 is being given to the Enchant Recreation Association for playground redevelopment at the Enchant campground.

The Society for Taber Arts & Recreation is getting $535,279 for facility restoration at the STAR Theatre and Recreation Centre.

A grant of $14,078 is going to the Butte Elks Benevolent and Social Association for an upgrade to the Picture Butte Elks Hall.

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