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Falher seeks legacy grant for rec. centre
Rick Froese
Smoky River Express
The Town of Falher is applying for $850,000 from the Alberta Centennial Legacies Grant Program to upgrade the aging Falher Memorial Arena and Falher Curling Rink.
Proposing to modernize the two facilities into the Falher Recreation Complex, the project estimated at $1.62 million includes $1.3 million for the ice arena, and $300,000 for the curling rink.
“We believe we would get a better chance of receiving a grant with a joint project with the arena and the curling rink,” says Town Administrator Gerard Nicolet.
Youth activities area
“Although the project hasn’t been defined, we want to consolidate the two facilities into one multi-use complex with a central entry, along with space for youth activities,” he said during council’s regular meeting May 3.
“Improved space and central entrance would make the facility more attractive and accessible for special events such as the agriculture and trade show, and sporting and community events,” says Nicolet.
This would be a joint project of the Town of Falher, Falher Recreation Development Society, and Falher Curling Club, seeking provincial funds with $16 million available.
By combining two facilities into one complex, town council trusts this will be supported by the selection committee of the grant program.
“We’re hoping that this joint and multi-use facility will be considered favourably by those reviewing and approving the funding,” says Mayor Margaret Tardif.
For many years, both groups have planned to upgrade their facilities, which has been difficult for fund-raising as separate projects.
“This is a great opportunity to get together for one project with this provincial funding available for these types of projects,” says Tardif.
Initiated in September 2000, the program provides funding for municipalities and registered non-profit organizations to construct new, or renovate existing community-accessible facilities in commemoration of Alberta’s Centennial next year.
With an application deadline of June 15, projects approved for funding would need to be completed by December 2006.
If the grant is approved, work would likely start next spring, says Ernie Marchildon, director of public works.
With the provincial grant, the project would be further supported by $350,000 in municipal funding, $200,000 in other Alberta grants, $150,000 from local fund-raising and corporate sponsorships, and $70,000 of in-kind contributions.
Recently joining the project, the curling club is excited about the possibilities to expand its facilities and enable better use of space in a larger joint complex.
“This will benefit our club and will help provide better space for community events such as the trade show,” says curling club president Danny Turcotte.
Other partners in the project are optimistic about the application which must be submitted by June 15.
“We can’t miss out on this opportunity,” says Lorraine Desaulniers, who chairs the arena fund-raising committee under the Falher Recreation Development Society. “Projects for multi-purpose and joint users are what the government wants.”
MLA support vital for application
The society plans to meet with Dunvegan MLA Hector Goudreau to get him onside in the project.
“We need to get our MLA behind this project,” says Cindy Levesque who chairs the recreation society.
Endorsing the application, letters of support were received from various local organizations and businesses.
Applications will be assessed on established criteria and priority will be given to Centennial legacy projects in regions that have not received Centennial funding in the first two phases.
When the program was established, $1 million was granted for construction of an aquatic centre in Fairview in the electoral district of Dunvegan.
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