Puslinch councillors recently endorsed waiving 40% of the rental fee for use of a room at the Puslinch Community Centre for a fundraiser to support those affected by the Classy Lane Stables fire in January.
On Jan. 20, council received a request from the Aberfoyle Agricultural Society to hold the fundraiser on Feb. 28 from 2 to 4pm.
Agricultural society director Joanne Holt wrote “it is with hope, due to the nature of the event, you will consider waiving the rental fee for the Archie MacRobbie Hall.
“The costume people will also require a changing area, this could be the room where the tables are stored, if the small room is rented that day.”
The event will consist of an old-fashioned tea, followed by a historical fashion show. Tickets are $15 and a donation basket will also be available.
Mayor Dennis Lever reminded council that even though council had yet to adopt a policy, there is a pending report that recommends council provide no discounts for fundraising events.
However, he noted that in the past, council has provided a 40% discount for some fundraising events.
Councillor Matthew Bulmer said the event was plaanned for a non-prime day, so he was more willing to provide a discount.
“This is for a local group trying to help out local people, therefore I would not be opposed to a similar discount,” said Bulmer.
Councillor Ken Roth agreed, but said council needs to have a policy in place, noting, “There are hundreds of good fundraisers out there … it’s not going to end.”
Councillor Wayne Stokely concurred. “We are looking at two hours at this point … it’s just going to be a tea.”
Councillor Susan Fielding said she would like to waive the entire fee because of the nature of the event, but she agreed with other councillors that there are numerous fundraisers happening “… and we do need a policy.”
Lever agreed as he noted that as of the day of the meeting, the GoFundMe online fundraiser campaign for Classy Lane had already raised $450,000. (As of Feb. 2, the campaign surpassed its original $500,000 target, having raised $534,206 in just under one month.) He too supported waiving 40% of the rental fee.
