Town to provide letter of support, matching funds for grant application for park upgrades

By Rob Vogt – Local Press Writer
The Town of Claresholm will write a letter of support for the Kinsmen Club of Claresholm’s application to the Community Facility Enhancement Program for the purpose of constructing pathways and new lighting at downtown Amundsen Park and provide the matching funds/in-kind donation of $149,456.
The decision came at town council’s Dec. 12 meeting after they reviewed a report from administration stating the Kinsmen Club of Claresholm would like to apply for the continued upgrades to Amundsen Park.
The club has been involved in the park re-design and would like to apply for a Community Facility Enhancement Program grant for the pathways and lighting as their playground project has been completed.
This project is the next phase in the park re-development and would connect the components of the park and light all the new pathways/entrances.
The deadline for the small stream application is Jan. 15, 2023. The small stream grant program funds projects up to a maximum of $125,000. The Kinsmen are applying for the maximum funding.
The town’s 2023 capital budget has approved this project with funding from three potential grant sources: the Enabling Accessibility Fund; Active Transportation Grant; and Community Facility Enhancement Program.
The description of the work involved is:
• $68,040 for a new asphalt pathway of 2,521 metres by two metres;
• $77,000 for new concrete pathways and connections;
• $75,916 for park lighting, that is a new electrical service;
• $53,500 for park lighting, that is bollards and light standards.
The total cost is $274,456.
If the Kinsmen are successful in their application for $125,000 that leaves $149,456 for the town to cover as its matching portion.
Council then agreed to send a letter of support and commit to the matching funds.