Three Canmore non-profit organizations saw their municipal property taxes cut in June after council authorized the tax exemptions for 2011.
Council voted in favour of removing the municipal taxes from tax bills for the Canmore Lions Club ($1,808), Canmore Rotary House ($2,754) and the curling facility of the Canmore Golf and Curling Club ($23,845).
Terry Holt, manager of financial services for the Town of Canmore, recommended the exemption as each organization benefits the community.
As a service club with all of its money collected through fundraisers, the Lions Club is automatically exempt from property taxes as long as the club’s facility is used 60 per cent of the time for charitable purposes.
Holt said administration recommended only the curling facility at the Canmore Golf and Curling Club (CG&CC) be eligible for a tax exemption as the rest of the organization – the golf course and the clubhouse – compete with private businesses.
Darren Cooke, director of golf with the CG&CC, said all profits from the course and clubhouse go to maintain the facilities.
Councillor Jim Ridley said he supported the concept of providing tax relief to the CG&CC, but he added that could be construed as subsidizing golf course members.
Instead, as a means to recognize both the fact the CG&CC is a quasi-private organization, but has a strong community component, Ridley suggested changing the recommended reduction from nearly $24,000 to $12,000.
“The intent here is to recognize the good service and volunteer work and commitment to our youth by providing lessons,” Ridley said.
He added that the Town still had a responsibility to taxpayers.
Councillors Ed Russell, John Borrowman and Gordie Miskow did not support Ridley’s amendment to the motion.
“We get a lot of community benefit from these people on a regular basis,” Russell said.
Without the golf club, Miskow said, Canmore would not have a curling club.
“Curling is an important part of the community, and at the end of the day they provide a benefit to the community,” Miskow said.
McCallum said golf course members she talked with did not support receiving the full amount recommended, which led her to support Ridley’s amended reduction.
“Those discussions felt they do warrant some tax relief but they don’t feel they warrant that much tax relief,” she said.
Only Ridley and McCallum voted in favour of the amendment.
Council gave all three organizations tax relief in previous years, as well.
