Community groups will receive $31,500 in grant funding this year to help with their capital project upgrades, including the reconstruction of an archway — from the former Russell Block Building — in Crescent Park.
The community projects (capital grant) program, which the parks and recreation department administers, is now in its 16th year, according to a department report.
The program’s purpose is to enable organizations to undertake capital development or renovation projects that result in short- and long-term benefits to the community, the report continued. Projects must be related to the improvement of parks or buildings that provide recreation, sports, arts, or cultural opportunities.
All developments must have a minimum lifespan of five years, while the City of Moose Jaw must own the buildings or lands. Organizations can receive up to 50 per cent of the total cost of the project, to a maximum of 50 per cent of the available funding available in a year.
Unused funding at the end of the year will be carried forward for the 2021 community projects (capital grant) program.
During its Feb. 24 regular meeting, council voted unanimously to accept the funding allocations proposed in the community projects (capital grant) program, and that any applications received after the deadline be considered based on the approved policy guidelines and that the parks and rec department administers.
Council discussion
One project that caught the attention of Coun. Heather Eby was the installation of a brick archway in Crescent Park; the archway used to be part of the Russell Block Building, which was located at the corner of River Street West and First Avenue Northwest.
The municipality took ownership of the archway after the demolition of the Russell Block Building in 2010, city administration explained. It was then reassembled on a private property on Langdon Crescent. However, that property is now being sold and the home is being demolished, so the archway has to be relocated.
Through the heritage advisory committee, the department approached the Crescent Park Foundation to see if that organization would be interested in acquiring it; it was. The group applied for grant funding and will cover the remaining costs to install it.
“I want to thank the private citizens who kept the archway in such good condition and conserved the heritage aspect of it,” said Coun. Crystal Froese, “and also thank the Crescent Park Foundation to undertake this project on their own and working alongside parks to find the location and have it moved there.”
Capital grant projects
- Crescent Park Foundation (Russell Block archway): $4,000
- Wakamow Valley Authority (Paashkwow Park Disc Golf phase 2): $5,000
- Hillcrest Golf Course (clubhouse expansion phase 3): $1,000
- Gymtastiks of MJ (LED light replacement): $1,100
- Cosmo Club (pickleball court installation): $1,800
- Baseball association (McCullough Park shack upgrades): $1,600
- Minor girls’ fastball (diamond upgrades): $7,500
- Moose Jaw and District Seniors’ Association (XYZ Auditorium floor upgrades): $2,500
- Minor football (irrigation upgrades): $7,000
The next regular council meeting is Monday, March 9.
