Nine groups are splitting nearly $80,000 from the City of Coquitlam to help pay for events, programs and gear related to arts, sports and social services.
Last night (July 5), city council awarded its first Spirit of Coquitlam grants in two years after the funding source, Hard Rock Casino Vancouver, closed during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Spirit grants come from the city’s Casino Community Capital Fund, which was set up in 2002 to assist local groups and nonprofits after the gambling venue opened on United Boulevard. The city gets a 10 per cent cut of net profits as a casino host.
Council unanimously awarded the money at its latest regular public meeting.
According to a staff report, the city received 14 bids totalling $172,148.
"However, five applications are not recommended for funding because they did not meet the council-approved criteria and goals," wrote Lanny Englund, Coquitlam's general manager of parks, recreation, culture and facilities, in his report to council.
"Examples of projects that were ineligible include funding requests for ongoing program expenses and projects focused on communities outside of Coquitlam or the Tri-Cities area."
The spring 2022 recipients are:
- Tri-City Asian Arts and Culture Society = $15,394 (BC Dumpling Festival, requested $31,272)
- Stage 43 Theatrical Society = $15,000 (2022–2023 subscription play series, requested $15,000)
- Immigrant Link Society = $10,000 (expand food recovery services, requested $10,000)
- Tri-Cities Female Ice Hockey Association = $10,000 (offsetting ice costs to reduce participation barriers, requested $10,000)
- Access Youth Outreach Society = $9,069 (pilot expansion of youth outreach program, requested $10,000)
- SHARE Family and Community Services Society = $7,893 (administration support for Legal Advocacy Program, requested $10,000)
- Coquitlam Minor Softball Association = $4,384 (mascot purchase, requested $7,376)
- Coquitlam Search and Rescue = $4,034 (open house at Town Centre Park, requested $5,000)
- Theatrix Youtheatre Society = $3,500 (fall production of Alice in Coquitlam Wonderland, requested $3,500)
The next grant intake is set for September.
For more information about Spirit of Coquitlam grants, you're encouraged to visit the city's website.
