Flagstaff County voted to fund two local non-profit organizations in February who both draw in visitors from in and outside of the region in the form of tourism.
The Iron Creek Flying Club has hosted Discovery Aviation (formerly COPA for Kids) events for many years. During the event local pilots donate their time and expertise, the use of their airplanes, and the club donates fuel and lunch, to children ages eight through 17 to experience a flight.
Last year’s event draw 160 participants not just from Flagstaff County but from areas throughout the province.
Flagstaff County granted the Flying Club $3,000 from its Tourism Assistance Grant program. Funding amounts are based on specific criteria that include items like the estimated number of participants, where those participants are from, and the duration of the event.
Another local group, Area 53 Raceway in Forestburg, also applied for grant funding under the Tourism Assistance Grant, in the amount of $9,626.30.
This application was put in to cover the one-time expense of finishing the racing return lane.
The club advised that it has completed 80 per cent of the preparation work, and obtained a quote from Flagstaff County for recycled oil and application for that same amount, to finish the lane for the 2025 season.
Area 53 holds multiple races each season, with nine events on the 2025 racing schedule, starting in May and ending in October.
Area 53 events bring racers, their crews, families, and friends, along with other spectators, from around the province.
Council approved a one-time grant of $9,626.30 for this project. The club hopes to have the job completed at the beginning of June, just after the start of the 2025 racing season.
In 2025, Flagstaff County’s business plan included an additional $100,000 in funding for recreation facilities, and in February, Council decided on how these funds would be allocated.
Council voted to allocate the additional $100,000 through a new Recreation Facility Operation Expenses Grant program to “provide further funding to regional recreational facilities that have experience significant increases in operational costs over the past three years.
“Recreation facilities may have experienced rate increases in utilities and insurance expenses or unforeseen repair and maintenances costs.
“The intention of this grant is to provide financial assistance to facilities that can demonstrate a financial need.”
This will be a one-time grant, intended to address past expenditures.
The total amount of funding allocated to the grant is $100,000. Applications will be accepted up to May 31, and will be considered by Council for a final decision. The specific grant amount awarded will be determined after reviewing the applications.
In addition, Flagstaff County also gives $641,268 annual in recreation grant funding to Ag Societies throughout the region, based on population.
Leslie Cholowsky
Editor
