The town gave out shares of its $50,000 allotment from the Moffat Family Fund at Monday night’s regular council meeting, with the Fort Frances Public Library’s “Building for the Future” campaign getting the largest amount.
The library received $15,500 for furniture for the Children’s Department at the future building, bringing the campaign fundraising total to $345,000.
“It’s wonderful news,” library board chair Joyce Cunningham said after Monday night’s meeting.
“When you look at a new building of this size, furniture is a large component, and we’ve been looking at some really exciting pieces of furniture, particularly for the little folk,” she added.
“This is all going to help. We’ll be moving into a new building that will address the needs of the whole clientele of Fort Frances—from the little folk to the old folk.” Cunningham smiled.
Chief librarian Margaret Sedgwick noted the latest funding brings the campaign that much closer to its $700,000 goal.
“We’re getting close to that halfway point, so that’s good news,” she remarked.
“Building for the Future” campaign chair Mark Kowalchuk said the committee is planning one or two more events this summer, but also is focusing
“to hit the ground running in September.”
“We’ve already started going through the proposals for architects, so we have some parallel things going on,” he added.
“We are interviewing architects right now,” echoed Sedgwick. “Hopefully, we’ll have an architect hired by Aug. 1. When that gets done, the building will really take off.”
Soon thereafter, the library will be looking for public input on details of the plans.
“At various stages, I think the public has to come on board, particularly the various stakeholders, because they know some things that we don’t,” said Cunningham.
“I think we’re going to invite the public to write out their ideas for the new building at the library and leave them there, and then we’ll just compile them and make sure that all the ideas . . . at least are considered,” said Kowalchuk.
Meanwhile, the Fort Frances chapter of Kidsport got $10,500 to help disadvantaged youth participate in sports and recreation activities.
Chapter secretary Elaine Fischer said the local group has been working hard since January to get up and running, and will be launching next month.
“Kidsport is all about helping kids overcome barriers so they can participate in organized sports,” she noted. “Our local chapter will cover registration and/or equipment fees.
“We’re so grateful for the Moffat fund, that’s for sure. It’s perfect timing,” Fischer added. “We’re launching in August, and the Moffat Fund came through [Monday].
“We’re currently developing some partners for some other funding, just to keep it sustained in our community.
“At this point, we’re also looking for volunteers,” Fischer continued. “If anyone’s interested in joining the local committee, we have room for people.”
Anyone interested in joining the local Kidsport chapter can call Fischer at the Northwestern Health Unit (274-9827).
Meanwhile, the local Salvation Army was given $6,000 to ensure low-income families could go to Bible camp this summer.
The Fort Frances Special Olympics was given $5,000 to help provide affordable and accessible sports training and competition for people with an intellectual disability.
The Fort Frances Visserettes and Boys Gymnastics received $4,000 to purchase new windows and a vacuum system for the gymnastics club.
The Fort Frances Volunteer Bureau, meanwhile, was granted $2,500 for its “volunteer assistance” program, which provides one-on-one support for disadvantaged individuals in the community, such as helping them get to medical appointments, grocery shopping, etc.
Family and Children’s Services got $2,500 to create a “sensory room” that provides a safe environment for children to experience a multitude of senses for therapeutic purposes, and to offer this to families at no cost.
Rounding out the final two recipients, the Kiwanis Club of Fort Frances got $2,000 to replace old siding at the McGregor Hall at Sunny Cove Camp while the 908 Rainy Lake Air Cadet Squadron received $2,000 for training and activities.
Speaking at Monday night’s council meeting, Sgt. Darren Derendorf of the 908 Rainy Lake Air Cadet Squadron said the $2,000 grant was appreciated as the squadron needs about $8,000-10,000 a year to cover operating costs.
This money is obtained mainly through fundraising activities.
He explained a large portion is required to secure accommodations at the Memorial Sports Centre for weekly meetings from September to June while the balance is used for administrative expenses and a variety of training activities, as well as outdoor, sporting, and social activities.
“These funds will help ensure another year of training,” said Sgt. Derendorf.
A total of 23 organizations and individuals had filed their applications prior to the Feb. 16 deadline.
After that, the local selection committee—comprised of Mayor Roy Avis, Fort Frances CAO Mark McCaig, Coun. Andrew Hallikas, Linda Hamilton, Salvation Army Capt. Angel Sandoval, and Marie Howells—discussed them and pared down the list to nine.
These then were forwarded to the Winnipeg Foundation for final approval this spring. Its board of directors approved all grants at the end of May.
This is the fifth year the Moffat Family Fund allotted the town tens of thousands of dollars to give to Fort Frances-based groups which benefit children, families, and the less-advantaged.
(Fort Frances Times)
Fort Frances Times
Local News from Across the Rainy River District
