One of the first tasks for the new City of Powell River council will be to approve grants totalling $799,522 to 12 organizations from Powell River Community Forest Reserve Fund.
Committee of the whole received the report on the fall recommendations for grants before forwarding to council, but PRCF decisions have been passed unanimously in the past. Unless something controversial is found with an applicant, the grants are almost always a foregone conclusion, according to mayor Dave Formosa, who is council’s non-voting representative on the PRCF board.
“It's a well diversified group that receives the grants, from Saltery Bay to Lund to Texada Island,” said Formosa. “Various groups from all facets of the community from arts, culture, heritage, sports, city; everybody has a chance.”
Grants are for capital projects only. Formosa said the community forest grants are a great gift to the vibrancy of Powell River.
“Through the Community Forest every sector has enjoyed the fruits of the industry,” said Formosa. “Community Forest goes out of its way to show people that forestry is a great, renewable resource, a great industry and pays dividends to everybody.”
Powell River Community Forest fall recipients are: Powell River Paddling for Life, $10,000; Powell River Aces Volleyball Club $50,000; Powell River and District United Way (Success by Six) $137,500; Powell River Community First Aid Team Society, $40,500; City of Powell River, $45,000; Powell River Villa Soccer Club, $223,597; Powell River Sports Hall of Fame Society, $39,175; Powell River Rotary clubs, $5,500; Powell River Chamber of Commerce, $25,000; Powell River 100+ Women Who Care, $35,000; Powell River Employment Program, $85,000; and Townsite Ratepayers Association, $103,250.
