By Times Chronicle Staff
Osoyoos Town Council approved $27,253 in Resort Municipality Initiative (RMI) funding to five local organizations after considering requests totalling $77,000.
Council had previously passed a motion for the grant committee – comprising Councillors Jim King, Myers Bennett and Johnny Cheong – to review the applications and make recommendations.
The following organizations were identified for funding (the number in brackets is the amount requested):
- Paddling Club – Flag Race Festival – $4,000 ($6,000)
- S.O. Pride Society – Pride Arts Festival – $5,253 ($6,000)
- Arts Council – Spring Festival – $6,000 ($10,000)
- Wide Arts – All Hallows Festival – $6,000 ($21,000)
- Wide Arts – Artisan Christmas Market – $6,000 ($10,000).
In making the decision it was noted that the committee had a difficult job given the significant mismatch between funding requests and available monies.
“The committee wanted to ensure that all groups had an equal opportunity to receive funding, but at the same time ensure the recommended projects met the criteria for the RMI funding program.”
Organizations that were not given funding include the Desert Pickleball for $10,000 and the Tennis Club for $10,000.
Gerald Davis, Director of Community Services, noted that the requests from these two organizations were “not as highly ranked or were not applicable and the committee did not recommend any funding for these projects.” He noted that they can apply for the community service grant program as both would qualify.
Music in the Park also submitted a further request for funding of $30,348 of which $26,000 was granted previously. The additional funding was not granted.
Because the town had a surplus of RMI funding from the three previous pandemic years it was obligated to spend these funds and as such committed $26,000 to Music in the Park, $5,000 towards a community barbecue, and $6,000 for a winter market. These were previously approved as part of the RMI strategy.
