Town of Osoyoos council has approved distributing $47,000 in community service grants to more than a dozen non-profit organizations, clubs and associations.
The allocated budget for 2014 was approved at $47,000 during recent budget talks and the total request for 2014 was $62,750, said Gerald Davis, the town’s director of community services.
The applications were grouped into four different categories, including preferred support, support approved in principle, traditional support and new requests.
As part of the new sports teams section of the policy, the town has $1,000 remaining for other teams and/or individuals who may qualify for potential funding, said Davis.
The South Okanagan Minor Hockey peewee and midget rep teams that recently travelled to and competed in provincial championships were both granted $500.
On Monday, members of council voted to increase the allocation to the Osoyoos Water Quality Society from $4,000 to $5,000 as that organization needs to purchase a new boat trailer at a cost of just under $5,000.
Preferred support was granted to the Osoyoos Elks Senior Citizens Society and Royal Canadian Legion Branch 173 so they won’t have to pay property taxes on the buildings they own. The amount granted to the Elks was $4,900 and $600 to the Legion.
The new Community Foundation of the South Okanagan-Similkameen has been granted $2,500, which will be matched by that organization.
Organizations that have received traditional support from community grants include the Osoyoos Festival Society ($6,000 for major events), Osoyoos Royalty Committee ($6,000 for program and bursary expenses), Osoyoos Secondary School bursaries ($2,250 for three bursaries), Canada Day fireworks ($5,000 for fireworks expenses), South Okanagan Integrated Community Services Society (Desert Sun Counselling and Resource Centre) with a grant of $4,000.
New requests include the Osoyoos International Curling Club ($1,000 fire alarm panel), Osoyoos Lake Water Quality Society ($5,000 for a new boat trailer), Oliver/Osoyoos Search and Rescue ($2,500 for building renovations), Lake Osoyoos Sailing Club ($1,500 for a new boat rack), Okanagan Boys and Girls Club ($2,000 for teen lounge furniture) and Osoyoos Traditional Archery School ($1,050 for Desert Park rental costs).
Davis looked at all of the applications as part of a committee that also included town councilors Mike Plante and Michael Ryan.
Coun. C.J. Rhodes asked that the committee consider increasing the grant to the water quality society from $4,000 to $5,000 as this volunteer group has very little money and desperately needs a new boat trailer.
Mayor Stu Wells said the volunteers with this organization perform very valuable work by regularly testing the water quality in Osoyoos Lake.
Rhodes agreed.
“There’s no doubt about the importance of the work they do in our community,” he said.
Council voted unanimously in favour of increasing the grant by $1,000 to the Osoyoos Water Quality Society.
A request for $10,000 by the Osoyoos Pickleball Club was turned down.
The club wants to build a new outdoor facility near the town’s tennis courts up near Osoyoos Secondary School.
Their request came in late in the process for applying for grants and having one organization ask for $10,000 in funding out of a total pool of $47,000 isn’t fair, said Wells.
Council will take a look at this request to build an outdoor pickleball court during 2015 budget deliberations, said Wells, noting this sport has grown tremendously in popularity over the past couple of years.
The town is in the process of finalizing a community master plan. Building an outdoor pickleball facility will be considered as part of this process as will be discussed during 2015 budget talks, said Davis.
KEITH LACEY
Osoyoos Times
