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Wednesday,November 19, 2025 Volume 48, Issue 46
Rec grant funding by Celebrating 99 years young council prompts concern over community hall needs Patricia Harcourt Editor
Viking Council approved the disbursement of $30,000 in recreation grants to local groups and organizations at the Nov. 17 meeting. However, during the discussion Councillor Jamie Buttner expressed his concerns regarding repairs needed to keep the community hall in good order. The Viking and District Agricultural Society is in charge of the hall, and Buttner stated funds must be generated or provided to make necessary repairs and ensure its future use for the community. The Ag Society does its own fundraising and is putting on a feature show, “Clayton Bellamy and Friends” at the community hall on Saturday, Nov. 22. But Buttner said he fears for the future of the hall as repairs are needed. An Ag Society meeting summary was provided to council in its agenda package, and included several repair issues such as the need to replace the heating system. The report stated that “No update has been received from the
county regarding potential funding for the heating system replacement.” Also an accessible door button has been considered a necessary addition to the hall for handicapped persons, listed at costing over $3,800. The society is making plans to fundraise for this feature, which ag society members agreed was needed. Another issue at the hall was the replacing of a dishwasher sanitizer. At the council meeting, Buttner requested a list of what each organization was going to do with the recreation grant funds they would be receiving from the town’s special recreation tax levy. He accepted the reading of a list provided by administration of each group’s plans for their funding allocation. But Buttner suggested allocating the entire $30,000 for the repairs needed on the community hall. He reasoned that, if the town matched this funding, that would be $60,000 for repairs. Then, if the county matched that funding, there would be funds that could make a dif-
ference for hall repairs. He noted that the county has given funds to several halls and other facilities in the county’s sphere and felt the same could be done for Viking. Deputy Mayor Judy Acres said she “hesitates” to put the entire funding into the hall as the funding to the town’s various organiations “keeps them going.” Funds received by the CN Station House help in “keeping the doors open and the lights on.” But, as President of the Viking Station Art Guild, she said doing a separate fundraising project may be what is needed here as happened when a new roof was needed at the Station House. “We made posters saying ‘Put a Lid on It’ and donations came in,” she said, with the result that $90,000 was raised to repair the CN Station House roof. “I do think folks will step up if you do,” she said, but added she didn’t want to “take funds away from others,” referring to other organizations. Buttner agreed with the points made by Acres. “The communi-
SUBMITTED PHOTOS
A large crowd of family and friends gathered at Golden Valley church on Sunday to help Eunice Gulbraa celebrate her 99th birthday. Congratulations, Eunice!
ty hall has been desperately in need of furnaces for some time,” he said. “But I am passionate about the other organizations,” as well. After the discussion, a motion by Councillor Cole Harasyn-O’Neill to accept the suggested disbursement of special recreation funds
was passed. These include: $3,500 to the Cloverlodge Stampede Association; $4,000 to the Viking and District Ag Society; $1,000 to Viking Dance Inspirations; $5,000 to the Viking Historical Society; $1,000 to Viking Minor Ball; $2,250 to Viking Minor Hockey; $2,000 to
Viking Music in the Park; $1,000 to Viking Preschool Association; $1,500 to the Viking Recreation Director; $1,500 to the Viking Seniors Centre; $1,750 to the Viking Skating Club; $2,000 to the Viking Station Gallery; $3,000 to the Viking Golf and Country Club and $500 to the Wings hockey team.