The City of Fernie has voted to dish out $11,000 in discretionary grants for 2021.

Discretionary grants are made by the city to community groups or organizations that can demonstrate financial need.

Seven community groups and organizations made requests of the City for the 2021 year, with the total requests adding up to $15,470.94.

Five groups were successful in their applications.

The Elk Valley Suicide Task Force (EVSTF) was given the largest share of grants, receiving $4,500 in funding, with the funds to be used to create promotional materials for EVSTF events and to provide the public with information regarding suicide prevention and community supports available. The EVSTF has requested $5,000.

The organizers of the Fernie Gravel Grind got the next-largest chunk of funding, at $3,500, which will be used to cover City facility rental fees for the 2021 Gravel Grind event. The organizers had requested the very specific sum of $4,470.94.

Next up, the Emily Brydon Youth Foundation succeeded in securing it’s entire funding request of $1,300 to support two Elk Valley youth to pursue an activity of their choice in the arts, sports or education fields.

The Fernie Army Cadets also secured their entire request at $1,200 to purchase 10 pairs of snowboards and trekking poles for cadet use, with the equipment also to be made available for use by the local girl guide unit.

Finally, the Fernie Volleyball Club locked down its $500 request, with the funds to be used to purchase 10 outdoor volleyballs to be used at a potential outdoor volleyball court.

The allocation of $11,000 in funds means there is another $7,000 left in discretionary grants, with the committee responsible reporting that they believed “COVID-19 will continue to have significant impacts on local non-profit organizations and having discretionary funds available will allow Council to provide support to those groups who encounter un-expected costs or needs in order to continue offering community programs, events and resources in a COVID safe environment.”

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