The District of Squamish is competing with community recreation organizations in its pursuit for federal grants.
Earlier this month, Ottawa announced the Community Infrastructure Improvement Fund (CIIF), which is administered by the Western Economic Diversification. The program is intended to pump $46 million into modernizing infrastructure and providing broad-based economic benefits to communities.
The district is submitting two grant applications - one for the Brennan Park Recreation Centre's pool's air conditioning and boiler and the other for overall rec centre improvements. CIIF grants cover up to 50 per cent of a project's cost to the maximum of $250,000.
The aquatic centre improvements are anticipated come with a $1 million bill, while the rec centre improvements are expected to hit $532,000.
Also eyeing the prize are the Squamish slo-pitch and soccer associations, both of whom requested that the municipality back their applications with a show of support and, potentially, cash.
The Squamish Slo-Pitch Association is looking to install lighting at Hendrickson Fields, the organization's president Dave Southam told council on July 24. The association estimates the cost at approximately $380,000. The organization is willing to pitch in half of the district's contribution toward the project - $95,000, Southam said.
The Squamish Soccer Association is aiming to secure money for lighting at the new turf and all-weather fields. The fields currently have lights, but they do not meet competition play standards, said Tanya Babuin, of the Squamish Youth Soccer Association.
Lighting was something the users were willing to wait for, but it made sense to apply for the grant, she said. However, the association doesn't have money to aid the district's portion of the grant, Babuin noted.
At the meeting, Coun. Patricia Heinztman questioned where the district would get cash to cover its contribution if the other groups' applications are successful. Unlike the municipality's requests, the community organizations' applications aren't in the district's 2012 budget.
"Money doesn't grow on trees, unfortunately," she said.
The district has a $75,000 council contingency fund for the year, said Joanne Greenlees, the municipality's general manager of financial services. Council could view the requests as community grants, she added, noting that staff haven't contemplated loans.
Alternatively, the money could be sought in the 2013 budget, Mayor Rob Kirkham said.
