WEYBURN – Nine community organizations and non-profit groups received a total of $59,435 in Community Fund grants, announced on Tuesday evening at the Weyburn Credit Union’s community celebration held at the Weyburn Curling Rink.
The Credit Union’s board of directors allocates a percentage of their yearly profits to the fund, and applications are invited from community groups for projects that will have a far-reaching meaningful impact on the community. The grants were presented to each group’s representatives on stage at the Curling Rink by board chair Jeff Richards, and public relations manager Tana Torkelson.
The Colour My World Child Care received $2,500 to help revamp their outdoor play space, to provide shaded and seating areas for the children, plus an art space in the play yard. They were represented by executive director Jamie Frank and staff member Sunny Miller.
The Goodwater Community Centre, represented by Marshall Holliday, received $2,500, which will go towards giving a facelift to the centre, including paint, LED light fixtures in the rink and lobby, with plans for new flooring and trim.
The Lang Fire Department, represented by Brook Tollifson, received $5,000 to go towards the purchase of a newer fire truck to replace their old mid-70s truck, which will help with response times and has a larger water capacity for rural fires.
The Prairie Memories Museum in Fillmore received $2,500, accepted by president Larry Wiggins, secretary Theresa Boll and board member Eldon Piper.
The grant will help the group to upgrade their washroom facilities and make them wheelchair accessible.
The Saskatchewan Health Authority and City of Weyburn received $5,000 towards purchasing a NuStep Recumbent Cross Trainer, which will be available for programming in the Credit Union Spark Centre. The grant was accepted by Faye Hoium of the SHA, and Andrew Crowe, director of Leisure Services for the City. This equipment will allow individuals with chronic health conditions to perform a full exercise routine.
The Family Place, represented by assistant director Judy Lumb, received $6,935 to assist with the upgrades and renovations to their new location in the former dance studio building.
They are planning to build a new addition to include a kitchen space where they will have a full-time cook preparing daily healthy and nutritious meals. The funding is for new appliances, including a fridge, freezer, dishwasher and oven.
The Weyburn Curling Club, represented by president Clare Johnson and director Danette Tracey, received $5,000 to replace their old curling brooms. These are used free of charge by youth and adults, including the learn-to-curl sessions by the schools.
The Weyburn Humane Society received $10,000 towards the installation of new fencing to provide a larger area for the dogs to run and allow visitors to play and interact with them. They were represented by shelter manager Colleen Morrice, and board members Randy Bakaluk and Savannah Bakaluk.
The Yellow Grass Fire Department, represented by deputy chief Allen Altwasser, received $20,000 to help the department to add to the fire hall for apparatus and related equipment storage, including space for more specialized equipment and indoor training activity.
