Community

Athabasca County contributes funds to local individuals and organizations that have progressed in their activity to the Provincial, National or International level, or to an equivalent level. The County provides this funding according to the following guidelines: 1. Funds are provided to individuals or organizations that reside/exist within the region. 2. All local sports and cultural activities will be considered by County Council and the Recreation Department. 3. Youth considered will be 18 years of age or under. 4. Letters requesting financial assistance should include:

a) Number of participants and breakdown of residence locations of team/group and coaching/management staff.

b) Where the group is going and for how long.

c) Who the assistance grant should be made payable to.

d) A statement of how the individual or group progressed to the competition or activity.

5. Funding is based on $500 per team or group and $200 for individuals that participate in provincial level competition and may be authorized. Each individual or team will only be approved for one provincial competition per activity per year. 6. Allocations for national or international level competition shall be authorized by a resolution of County Council. 7. All funding is contingent on approval of the Recreation Operational budget by Athabasca County.

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1.  Assistance may be provided to community organizations within the region. Fixed Capital Assets must be located on property owned or leased by the organization or by Athabasca County. The annual application deadline is April 30. 2. Assistance may be provided to community organizations whose proposals demonstrate the following:

• Are complimentary to the objectives of the Recreation Department and County
• Are a benefit to the community
• Show community involvement and support
• Ensure long term viability
• Show sound organizational planning
• Meet all applicable federal, provincial and municipal requirements

3. Preference will be given to applications that demonstrate a need in the following areas:

• public health and safety requirements
• accessibility needs (handicapped, senior-friendly)
• operational (upgrades, additions, exterior structures)
• energy efficiency

4. Any funding received by the community organization from County Council in the past year may reduce or eliminate funding available through the Community Assistance Grant Program.

• Assistance over $1,000 may be provided to formally established community organizations, which are incorporated under the Alberta Societies’ Act, Agricultural Societies’ Act or similar legislation.
• Assistance up to $1,000 may be provided to unincorporated, not for profit, volunteer community organizations.

7. Athabasca County may provide assistance up to 50% of the total value of the project. Grants will not be awarded for amounts less than $500 or more than $5,000. Grant requests exceeding $5,000 must be approved/denied by Athabasca County Council. 8. The matching contribution may be a combination of cash, in-kind contributions for items or materials at market value, or, in-kind contributions at rates set by Alberta Culture and Tourism: Community Grant Program, for the following:

• Unskilled labour
• Skilled labour
• Heavy equipment with operator

9. Grants over $1,000 – half of the grant will be forwarded on approval; second half upon statement of completion and financial statement approval by the Manager of Recreation Services. 10. Grants under $1,000 – the manager of Recreation Services will forward full payment of the grant upon completion and financial statement approval. 11. Any assistance is contingent on approval of the recreation budget set by Athabasca County Council.

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The Athabasca County will make available to outdoor rink operators a once-in-a-lifetime capital grant for the exclusive purpose of asphalting or concreting the rink interior.

GRANT GUIDELINES:

The Capital Grant is available to non-profit community organizations who operate full-size outdoor rinks, and where these rinks are located in Athabasca County. The non-profit community organization must be incorporated as a society under the Alberta Societies’ Act. A capital grant up to 50% of the total cost of the project, up to a maximum of $7,500, may be provided. The capital grant is for the purpose of providing a solid level surface in the interior of the outdoor rinks to serve as an activity pad for recreational opportunities. This surface may be constructed from asphalt or concrete. The construction plan for the rink pad must be submitted to the Athabasca County Recreation Board for approval prior to the awarding of grant funds. The plan should outline, the following specifications:

• Surface preparations
• Sub-base material composition and compaction standards
• Surface material specifications and application standards
• Surface markings and support anchors
• Finishing standards of surface material adjacent to rink boards
• Construction quotes and budget estimates

Community organizations applying for the capital grant must demonstrate the existence of, or the ability to generate, the necessary remaining funds to cover the total costs of the project. Community organizations must include a description of the present use of the facility, the proposed use of the facility, as well as long-range plans for the future of the facility. All capital grants are subject to approval from the Athabasca County Council.

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Athabasca County will allocate an operating assistance grant to community organizations that actively maintain and operate an outdoor skating rink.

GRANT GUIDELINES:

For the purposes of this grant a statement signed by two members of the community organization stating they operated an outdoor rink during the past season will be accepted. The grant is available immediately following the most recent operating season. The grant is not available for operating seasons outside of the most recent winter. The application deadline is set at June 30th annually. Applications must be submitted using the application form attached to the policy (Schedule A).

Community Rinks – outdoor skating rinks eligible for this grant shall be Rochester, Colinton, Grassland, Perryvale, Wandering River, Richmond Park and Aspen Ridge Estates.

Neighbourhood Rinks – Athabasca County may consider any other neighbourhood rink, but they are subject to approval and budgetary allocation by Athabasca County Council.

Outdoor skating rinks are allowed a maximum of $3,000 per year upon documentation of actual receipts for power, water, maintenance and other operating expenses.

  POLICY & APPLICATION FORM  

Athabasca County will allocate, upon approval of its annual budget, an operating assistance grant to community organizations that actively maintain and operate a Community Hall in Athabasca County. DEFINITION Community Hall – A facility owned and/or operated by a community group that is made available to the general public for usage through rentals or free bookings. The property must be within Athabasca County boundary and form part of Athabasca County Assessment Roll. GRANT GUIDELINES 1. Each community hall association or society will make application for Community Hall Assistance Program on an annual basis. 2. The application deadline shall be March 1 of each year. 3. The amount of each assistance grant will be a maximum of 50% of the previous years’ power, gas, and building & liability insurance bills; GST is excluded from the amounts awarded. 4. Each Application shall include the following:

• Copies of the previous calendar years’ power, gas and insurance bills
• Name and address to which assistance will be sent
• Summary of activities at the Community Hall for the year being funded

A community hall must have power, natural gas, and insurance costs on an ongoing basis in order to be eligible for a grant. ELIGIBLE COMMUNITY HALLS Athabasca County maintains a list of eligible Community Halls as part of the Community Hall Assistance Program Policy 7625. The list can be viewed by clicking on the policy link.

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