(file photo/meadowlakeNOW staff)

By Elliott Knopp

Charitable Grants

Meadow Lake organizations receive nearly $6,600 from gaming grants

Sep 10, 2021 | 5:15 PM

The latest round of charitable gaming grants from the Saskatchewan Liquor and Gaming Association (SLGA) has resulted in three Meadow Lake organizations receiving a collective total of nearly $6,600.

This financial boost is provided as a supplement to each groups licensed charitable gaming fundraisers like bingo, raffles, breakopen ticket sales and other events. The SLGA contributes 25 per cent of the event’s profits back into the host organization, up to a maximum of $100,000 per year.

The Meadow Lake Curling Club received a grant of nearly $4,000 for the proceeds linked to the Cash Extravaganza and 50/50 draws which raised a combined total of nearly $16,000.

General manager Shannon Heddon said receiving community support throughout the club’s fundraising efforts during a pandemic and other major concerns has been a pleasant development.

“It was a heartfelt event for people this year, but we do have great support in Meadow Lake.”

Health alerts

Sask NDP sound alarm over TB cases in northern Saskatchewan

21h ago

PYSANKY EASTER EGGS

"It's special to pass this on": Saskatchewan family celebrates Ukrainian Easter heritage

21h ago

BUSTED

Man charged after fleeing from RCMP on dirtbike in Onion Lake

22h ago

She added each of the fundraisers had nearly sold out out the maximum number of tickets.

“It was better received than in any year.”

While the boost in finances comes as a positive, the club is left wondering what will become of its 2021/22 season.

Earlier this year, the Meadow Lake & District Arena was destroyed in a fire that left the adjacent curling facility without a machine to produce an ice surface. While Meadow Lake City Council waits for further instruction from investigators and insurance evaluators, the curling club is still looking for direction on how to proceed.

Heddon said the organization is hoping to receive direction from the city in a few weeks on how they will move forward, if they will move forward.

“No matter if the curling club runs or not, we still have to pay the power and the gas bill to survive for the winter,” she explained.

“We still have to have those running for insurance purposes, and we need to have the security system and phone bill as well.”

On Wednesday, council held a special meeting to discuss items surrounding the status of the arena’s insurance process and potential replacement options. The details of this closed meeting have not been made available to the public.

The NorthWest Community Lodge Association and People Advocating for Children with Exceptionalities made up the rest of the grant contributions, receiving more than $2,300 and $200, respectively.

meadowlakeNOW reached out to these organizations for comment, but did not receive a response.

—

elliott.knopp@pattisonmedia.com

On Twitter: @ElliottKnopp