Town of Falher Mayor Margaret Tardif (centre) accepts cheque of $70,000 for Falher Regional Recreation Complex project, from Lorraine Desaulniers (right), who chairs the project fundraising committee of Falher Recreation Development Society and treasurer Roland Turcotte.

A cheque of $70,000 for the new Falher Regional Recreation Complex was presented to the Town of Falher from the project fundraising committee of Falher Recreation Development Society. Mayor Margaret Tardif accepted the cheque last week from Lorraine Desaulniers, who chairs the committee and treasurer Roland Turcotte. Presenting the fourth cheque, this raises the total to $430,00 that the fundraising committee has contributed to the Town of Falher. “This facility has become a reality because of the hard work of the committee and the fundraising by the society and support from residents, businesses, and the community at large,” says Mayor Tardif. “We are encouraged by the community and all the people and businesses who are behind the project,” says Desaulniers. “We have money in the bank so we are committed to another $100,000 in 2008,” says Turcotte. “We thank everyone who has supported and contributed to the project, including citizens, businesses, and municipalities.” The amount is well over half of the initial goal and total raised as support for fundraising continues to grow. When fundraising began in spring 2003, the committee set a target of raising $350,000, with $150,000 from corporate donations, and $200,000 from other general fundraising campaigns and events. However, to meet the unexpected rising costs of the project and to enhance the facility, fundraising will continue for many years. “We are still accepting donations and contributions,” says Turcotte. Anyone donating to the project will receive a tax-deductible receipt. More fundraising events are planned including the annual quad rally scheduled for April, along with other new and special events. Falher Recreation Development Society is seeking a further $1 million to enhance the facility, with $500,000 from the Alberta Major Community Facilities Program, $200,000 from the Town of Falher, $150,000 from the recreation society, $110,000 from the Municipal District of Smoky River $30,000 from funding donations, and $10,000 from donated labour. For the second phase, the recreation society plans to erect the new pre-fabricated curling rink building at $510,000, install a sprinkler system and upgrade a refrigeration system at $390,000, and install an elevator to the curling rink upper floor (which is required by regulations) estimated at $100,000. These components of the project were eliminated in the first stage because of a lack of funding. The curling rink building was purchased by the Town of Falher about two years ago and is stored in a local building. Without a sprinker system, the main arena can be used for no more than two non-sporting events a year, under standard fire regulations.