COLD LAKE – The City of Cold Lake approved two community grant applications under the Community Recreation, Art, Culture and Heritage Investment Grant Policy, known as the CRACH program, following recommendations from the Community Grant Advisory Committee, at its July 8 regular council meeting.
Three applications were submitted for the June 2025 intake, totaling $11,750. After reviewing the applications, the committee recommended funding two projects, with one deferred to the next intake for further clarification.
“The committee met on June 19, 2025, to review applications submitted under the Community Recreation, Art, Culture and Heritage Investment Grant Policy,” said Paul McWilliams, General Manager of Community Services.
An application from Alice Roy was approved for $500 in the form of a travel grant to attend the 2025 Canadian Francophone Games as a track runner with Team Alberta.
The Clayton Bellamy Foundation for the Arts was granted $5,000 for sponsorship of its third annual gala and fundraiser, which is scheduled for Aug. 29–30 in Bonnyville.
“Following careful review, the committee is recommending approval of two applications totaling $5,750 and the deferral of one application until the July intake,” McWilliams added.
The deferred application came from the 4 Wing Personnel Support Program, which had requested $5,250 to support the 2025 Oktoberfest event. The committee recommended putting off the decision to give the organization a chance to present and provide additional details.
“As of now, the CRACH program has a remaining budget of $151,872 for the remainder of the 2025 season following the transfer of unused capital grant funds,” McWilliams told council.
However, discussion grew tense around the $5,000 grant awarded to the Clayton Bellamy Foundation, as some councillors raised concerns about supporting an event outside city limits.
“I have no problem with one and three,” said Coun, Vicky Lefebvre. “I have a little bit of heartburn with the Clayton Bellamy Foundation being in Bonnyville.”
“Our stuff says that things are supposed to be happening within the city . . . I just think $5,250 is a little bit rich for something outside of our community,” she added.
Coun. Ryan Bailey echoed those concerns, asking if any Cold Lake groups had actually used the Bonnyville-based theatre.
McWilliams said the Bellamy Foundation didn’t provide specific user numbers during their presentation.
Coun. Chris Vining reminded council that similar regional events have been funded in the past, saying, “The committee’s feel is that there is a regional benefit.”
Mayor Craig Copeland added, “I think the idea here is that there is nothing close to the Clayton Bellamy Theatre in Cold Lake . . . You hate to see this thing go under.”
As the discussion unfolded, council briefly considered lowering the grant to $1,000 to sponsor a hole at the foundation’s golf tournament. Ultimately, the full $5,000 recommendation from the committee was approved, with only Lefebvre and Coun. Bill Parker voting against it.
