Puslinch councillors authorized a 40 per cent fee reduction for the Whistle Stop Cooperative Preschool to hold a dance fundraiser on Feb. 25 at the Puslinch Community Centre.
On Feb. 15 councillors reviewed Nicole Skrt’s request for council to waive the fee.
Skrt described the Whistle Stop Cooperative Preschool as the only family-oriented, community-based preschool of its kind serving Puslinch and surrounding areas.
Since 1987, operating out of the Puslinch Community Centre, it has provided a program that uses imaginative play, creativity, and hands-on activities to expose children to educational experiences that will develop their natural curiosity and love of learning, Skrt wrote.
She added that proceeds from the fundraising event help to subsidize children’s tuition, purchase new toys/equipment, as well as fund field trips, professional development, and other programs for community improvement.
“We are a smaller-than-normal group this year and, although each family has done a fantastic job working and preparing for this event, we will be hard pressed to reach our fundraising goals due to a drop in donations from local businesses,” Skrt noted.
As council discussed the merit of the request, councillor Matthew Bulmer asked if a similar discount was offered for the Rotary Club event the preceding night.
“If a request was made,” responded Puslinch CAO Karen Landry.
Deputy Clerk Nina Lecic noted the Rotary Club was also granted the 40% reduction in fees.
Mayor Dennis Lever said the 40% reduction was fairly standard for other requests granted by the municipality.
Bulmer noted council had previously discussed various discounts for peak and off-peak usage of the facilities.
Councillor Ken Roth asked if council had granted the reduction previously, since the preschool was already granted free use of the facilities at other times.
“They get that as well,” Lever said.
