Momentum is slowly being generated for a group formed to raise money to finance recreational facilities in Ponoka.
And another step in that journey was taken last week as Ponoka Arts, Recreation and Culture Society (PARCS) chair Justin Kelly took the opportunity to present the group’s ideas, it’s current status and future plans, to the local business community at the monthly meeting of the Ponoka and District Chamber of Commerce on April 17.
Kelly explained that in the one year PARCS has come a long way in raising around $60,000 so far.
“We are definitely looking at opportunities for philanthropy and benevolent funding,” said Kelly. “Because we are not going to build a $15 million facility through small fundraisers.
“The concept is if we have a shovel ready project to go and the federal and provincial government are looking to fund health and wellness — the hope is to capitalize on grants for that because we are a step ahead of other communities.”
Kelly mentioned a pair of Alberta communities — Taber and Rimbey — which saw significant benevolent donations and that PARCS is hopeful it will be the vehicle people feel they can use to make a difference.
“If we had started something like this 30 years ago, we could be in a stronger position now. These communities had funds bequeathed or donated — large amounts of $750,000 and $1.5 million. So there are ways we hope to capitalize on local people looking for charities to donate to, so they can make an impact or leave a legacy in the community,” he added.
PARCS officially became a society back in October and is presently awaiting final approval on its charitable status, which is one reason Kelly stated the group has been holding back a bit on it’s campaign for funds.
“We have not been going hard on educating the community about what we are doing and what we are about or about the possibility of benevolent funding because we want to make sure we are ready to go,” he said.
Kelly noted the fundraising golf tournament, which is slated to become an annual event, is all set to go this September and plans are slowly coming together on a classic rock festival to be held at the Stampede grounds in the summer of 2019.
“It is really important for us to connect with the community and we need our business owners to get behind us, hopefully join us in pushing this forward,” he added.
More information about PARCS can be found by going to their Facebook page (https://www.facebook.com/PARCSociety).