BONNYVILLE - After previously delaying a decision on a $10,000 request from the Lakeland Lacrosse Association to support the 10th annual Ice Melter Tournament, Town of Bonnyville council has now agreed to sponsor the event to the tune of $2,000.
The tournament is being held in Cold Lake and Bonnyville May 10-12, and about 20 per cent of the games will take place in Bonnyville due to ice still being in most of the arenas, heard council during the Feb. 27 regular council meeting.
Administration recommended approving $250, as per the municipality's policy, but councillors opted for a higher number.
Considering the initial ask of $10,000, it was decided that 20 per cent of that would be reflective of the number of games being held in Bonnyville, which is how the $2,000 amount was determined.
Coun. Phil Kushnir said he believed the tournament was a good thing for the Town, but acknowledged the $10,000 amount was too high.
"I think this is a good thing for our town but I don't think we are the host," said Kushnir. "I would be prepared to make a motion for $2,000 and that will get us in that Gold Sponsor area."
Mayor Elisa Brosseau noted that there will be athletes and their families who will be staying in Bonnyville for the length of the tournament and there would be "spill over" benefits, even if only 20 per cent of games are happening in the community.
A motion to approve $2,000 for the Ice Melter Tournament, was approved.
The tournament will host teams from across the province in divisions ranging from U7 to U15. About 1,000 athletes and their families are expected to attend the tournament. In 2023, the Town sponsored the event in the amount of $250.
Air show funding approved
A $25,000 sponsorship for the 2024 Cold Lake Air Show was also approved by council on Feb. 27. The funding had already been worked into the 2024 interim operating budget.
The cheque was requested by 4 Wing as organizers need to have funding in place by April 1. Council's approval was required to release the funds since the 2024 budget will not be finalized until April.
The Town of Bonnyville previously provided sponsorship to the amount of $21,000 for the 2022 air show.
Premier Cheer funds
Later in the same meeting, council also approved a $500 sponsorship for Premier Cheer, following a request from the Premier Cheer Parents Association, in support of a trip to Canadian Nationals set to take place in Niagara Falls, Ont., April 12-14.
Administration recommended approving $250 to Premier Cheer, but council opted to double that amount.
Council commended the Bonnyville based cheerleading club for how much fundraising they have been doing in the community.
"I think it's an amazing feat for them to make it to this level," said Brosseau, noting she would also be in favour of an increased amount.
The motion to approve $500 was carried.
Dragonfly golf tournament
A request from the Dragonfly Centre for Sexual Violence Services to support its charity golf tournament this summer was also brought before council.
The organization requested a $3,500 sponsorship. In 2023, the golf tournament raised $35,000. Funds raised are used by the centre to continue to offer free counselling an support services. Over the last fiscal year, the centre helped 1,500 clients access services - over half of those clients were living in the Lakeland area.
The $3,500 amount was already included in the interim budget. A motion to approve the request was carried.
