Four communities will share the Rural Communities Foundation $100,000 grant including two from east central Alberta.
The New Brigden Community Association was awarded $18,000 towards their new community hall. When a fire destroyed the hall in 2022, the community knew they wanted to rebuild.
The hall was the hub of the community and used for weddings, fitness activities, Christmas concerts and school activities.
The new hall will be wheelchair accessible, have a larger kitchen and bathrooms and will once again be the heart of the community.
Friends of Morrin School
The Friends of Morrin School council were awarded $25,000 for the renovation of the old school gymnasium to a community and school hub.
With an agreement between the community and the local school division, a breezeway will connect the new school to the old gym where students can take automotives, shop, carpentry and industrial arts classes.
Community members will also be able to use the facility for 4-H, fitness, arts, meetings and other activities.
The Friends of Morrin School council also received $8,000 from Farm Credit Canada (FCC) for purchasing shop equipment and tools for the renovated community hub for use by students and community members.
Town of Bashaw
The Town of Bashaw received $15,000 from FCC to purchase woodland fire and grain entrapment equipment for the fire department.
The two other Foundation grant recipients were: Cotillion Butte Recreation Association,$32,000 towards their hall replacement and the Wembley and District Agricultural Society, $25,000 for new flooring in their community recreation centre.
The former curling rink has been turned into a multi-purpose room for weddings, trade shows, conferences and dance festivals.
The addition of the new flooring to the 7,000 sq. ft. space will make it more aesthetically pleasing and allow it to be used for competitive basketball, volleyball and other sporting events.