CANMORE – A major grant policy is now available for organizations hosting events in Canmore.
Town council approved the new policy that can award up to $15,000 per year or $45,000 over a three-year period and eligible projects would be major events in sports, recreation, arts, and culture that are recognized by governing bodies as national or international level.
Under the new policy, major events would be events that had a limited duration, generated local, regional or international participants, increased tourism and would bring in international and national media coverage. Grants would also go through a new review process.
“We are proposing that they will be reviewed by an internal administration grant selection committee, which is a subset of the community review committee,” said Eleanor Miclette, manager of economic development. “Events of this nature will require more administrative support.”
In March of this year, Canmore council approved amendments to the community grant policy to allow organizations in the community, as well as non-profit organizations, to apply for funding to support local and regional events.
While preparing the amendments, administration found that the current grant policy did not meet the needs for hosting larger events. Major events usually need to begin preparations three years in advance, and earlier funding would be required to support the longer planning period.
As a result, council asked administration to return with a major event grant policy that could address funding needs for larger events of the national and international variety.
As part of developing the policy, representatives from the Alberta World Cup, Mountain Bike World Cup and the Biathlon World Cup were consulted.
The 2022 budget allocation for the major event grant is $25,000. This will be reviewed by administration annually. Recommendations to council will be made as part of the normal budget process.
Miclette also asked that council allow for the grant to be applied retroactively. Only one event would be eligible for it this year.
She said the goal would be to have events during the shoulder season rather than the busy summer months.
“Higher points would be given to events that happen in our shoulder seasons.”
Council was overwhelmingly in favour of the motion to set up a major event grant policy.
“It gives a lot more clarity to the process. I also like the evaluation criteria including our strategic plan goals,” Mayor Sean Krausert said. “It is an excellent way to get those things implemented and included in people’s thought processes. With these things, we learn as we go, so we can learn how this process works in the coming years.”
Coun. Jeff Mah echoed Krausert’s feelings.
“I think having a strong grant process that people can apply to will only help, I think.”
