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Four more applicants received funding through the municipal grant program. (YouTube)
town council

Additional $13,000 awarded through La Ronge municipal grant program

May 11, 2023 | 2:54 PM

The Town of La Ronge has distributed another $13,000 through its municipal grant program.

Four new applications were discussed and subsequently voted on at the latest regular council meeting earlier this week. Council voted to grant $5,000 to the La Ronge Arts Council, $5,000 to the La Ronge Children’s Festival, $2,000 for Men of the North and another $1,000 for the Alex Robertson Public Library.

All applicants, with the exception of Men of the North, received the full amount requested. Men of the North was seeking funding for its annual Summer Youth Mentorship Program.

“I would be interested in the municipality supporting Men of the North in other ways outside of this. If there are innovative ideas that we can support this group and their operations, because the intent, the vision and the people that this group touches is all valuable,” said Coun. Abby Besharah.

“I think just within this context, I’m not comfortable with it being the right fit and, considering that it is only May and we have … potentially new community groups, new events, and other things that may need more of a leg up, I think I’d be wanting to reserve a little of it (grant money).”

According to documents submitted to the municipality, the La Ronge Children’s Festival will occur on Canada Day this year. It will take place in Patterson Park after the annual parade along La Ronge Ave.

The La Ronge Arts Council has plans to facilitate a program involving elementary and high school students working alongside a local artist on a mural in the Alex Robertson Public Library. The project is expected to be completed by the end of 2023.

The $1,000 requested by the Alex Robertson Public Library will assist in covering expenses for its Summer Reading Program.

The municipal grant program for community groups is provided to assist (both financial and through in-kind support) non-profit organizations and volunteer groups in a fair and equitable process. Other groups who already received funding in 2023 are Churchill Community High School, Canadian Challenge Sled Dog Race, Northern Animal Rescue, Sum Theatre Corp., Napatāk Ramble Music & Arts Inc., Peanut Productions, and the Wild Rice Writers Group.

Of the $42,000 allotted each year through the program, $5,500 remains to be distributed for 2023.

derek.cornet@pattisonmedia.com

Twitter: @saskjourno