City council’s Community Services has recommended that the city create a $1.5 million/year capital construction/renovation fund for community leagues. The committee suggested that this proposal, along with a $700,000 increase in community league operating grants, be included in the 2011 budget package that council will debate this fall . If approved, these two increases would more than double the current level of funding provided to community leagues.
The committee’s recommendation, which will go to city council next Wednesday, was in response to a request put forward by the EFCL. The EFCL had originally asked for a capital and operating grant increases of twice these amounts – however, the mayor and four councilors on the committee chose to spread the EFCL’s request over two years.
The committee also discussed the idea of a new rental service to help book league halls during down times. In keeping with feedback the EFCL received from its members at Inglewood Community last week, the discussion focused on long term rentals/partnerships as opposed to one-off engagements.
A joint EFCL/City of Edmonton Task Force, currently reviewing the tripartite license agreement, will continue to flesh out details of the new capital construction program, including project selection criteria. It will also refine the manner in which the hall rental service would work.
The committee hopes to have a complete proposal ready for consideration by the leagues at the EFCL’s fall general meeting, which is set for Oct. 25. |