Council continues to struggle with the issue of providing grants and reduced facility rates to community organizations.
The ongoing issue arose again at the Oct. 13 meeting, during which Mapleton council received a request from the Mapleton-Minto 81’s Senior AA hockey team for a reduced rental rate for the community centre hall during home games. The club uses the hall to run a “blueline club” as a fundraiser.
The team, which plays home games at the PMD Arena Complex as well as the Palmerston arena, requested use of the hall for $200 for five home games and any playoff dates.
The request is for the same reduced rate the team has been charged for the past several seasons.
Acting CAO Brad McRoberts noted in a report to council the standard rate is $475 per event. Assuming one playoff game being held at the PMD Arena, the total requested reduction would be $1,650. The Mapleton Minto 81’s would also share profits from alcohol sales.
McRoberts pointed out staff have concerns with providing a reduced rate for events, regardless of the requestor, unless the money is drawn from a funding line within the budget.
“It messes up our operating budget,” he told council.
While council has discussed the idea of a “community grant program” to cover requests of this nature, there is nothing currently in place. In March, council passed a motion directing staff to bring forward a proposal for a grant program.
“I’m struggling with it … because I’ve sat here in the gallery over the years and saw council debate who gets reductions and who doesn’t,” said councillor Lori Woodham.
“I don’t want that power.”
“I agree with Lori. I’d like to see some pretty strong recommendations come forward on this community grant program,” said councillor Dennis Craven.
Mayor Neil Driscoll added, “The sooner we get this community grant program figured out it will make for a lot less debate for us.”
Councillor Marlene Ottens said, “This is the same discussion that we had back in March. I agree that we need to have some sort of plan in place to avoid more of this.”
Council approved the request for the reduced rate, but directed staff to advise the 81’s to submit another request for a similar grant in 2016 by Nov. 15. That request will be considered as part of the 2016 budget process.
The motion passed with only Woodham opposed.
