qathet Regional District’s (qRD) finance committee is recommending $221,241 in financial assistance to 27 separate organizations.
At the June 5 finance committee meeting, directors gave consideration to the grant-in-aid requests, which have a total budget of $278,098 for 2024. Funds not allocated, $56,856.63, will be considered in the regional district’s fall financial assistance program.
The regional district has agreements with several organizations, including Powell River Academy of Music, for $3,000; police-based victim services, for $15,000; Tourism Powell River, for $16,000; and Sunshine Coast Tourism, for $12,000.
The committee recommended to the regional board that a total of $23,000 be allocated to qathet Outdoor Recreation Users Group Trails Society. The money is earmarked for ongoing maintenance and construction of multi-use trails.
Texada Arts, Culture and Tourism had a $12,000 recommendation for various cultural events.
Powell River Therapeutic Riding Association’s recommendation was for $5,000, for a 10-week fall therapeutic riding session occurring in 2024. The association had applied for $7,500 for three years.
The finance committee recommended $2,000 for qathet Film Society for a youth film camp, youth film screening and qathet International Film Festival.
Pacific Region International Summer Music Association’s apportionment is $25,000. qathet Festival of the Performing Arts is earmarked for $750.
Savary Island Land Trust Society’s apportionment is $8,000 for public education programs.
Lasqueti Island Nature Conservancy’s recommendation is for $2,500 for public education initiatives.
qathet Concert Band had requested $3,200, which was the committee’s recommendation to the regional board. The money will be used for 2024 community-based concert band operations.
United Way British Columbia is recommended to receive $1,418 for a transportation assistance program. Powell River Compassionate Friends Society’s recommendation is $2,370 for 2024 operational costs.
Vancouver Island North Film Commission (INfilm) is recommended to receive $3,000 to provide free motion picture skills training and marketing of the qathet region as a filming location.
Tourism Powell River is recommended for another $15,000 grant-in-aid for visitor services shoulder season staff support.
Powell River Skating Club had applied for $4,500 but the finance committee voted not to proceed with the grant, which was for 2024 equipment purchases to assist with off-ice training, as well as general operating costs.
qathet Art Council has been recommended to receive $12,000 for the 2024 qathet public art program.
Everybody Deserves A Smile’s recommendation is for $2,500 for kindness bags to be distributed in December 2024 during the holiday season.
Powell River Logger Sports Association is earmarked to receive $10,200 for the 2024 logger sports event at the Willingdon Beach logger sports bowl.
Townsite Jazz Festival is recommended for $6,000 for the 15 public performances during the 2024 jazz festival, which has already taken place. This year, Lasqueti Island’s grant-in-aid service kicked in funds because the jazz festival held a concert on the island.
Wild Ocean Whale Society has been recommended for $2,000 for funding toward humanely reducing the feral cat population on Texada Island.
Lund Community Society had applied for $4,550 for the Northside Community Recreation Centre preschool, day care, recreational and athletic program operations, and was recommended for board approval.
Texada Sandcastle Weekend was recommended for a $3,000 grant for insurance, safety and security of attendees.
Texada Health Society was denied a grant recommendation from the finance committee.
Royal Canadian Legion Branch 232 Texada Island’s grant request of $3,289 will be forwarded to the regional board. The grant will go toward parking lot lighting.
Texada Island Non-Profit Seniors Housing Society was recommended for a $25,000 grant for the purchase of land for the development of rental housing for low-income seniors on Texada Island.
Lasqueti Island Community Arts Council’s request for $2,500 for the annual community arts festival was also recommended to the regional board.
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