2021 Grant Recipients
In 2021, the foundation received more than 100 submissions for projects that supported either recreational or educational events and activities, or cultural facilities and programs.
The foundation is pleased to support the Alberta communities of Drayton Valley, Carmangay, Canmore, Nampa and Eaglesham with the $100,000 grant for their projects.
The Anglican Church, built in 1937, was moved to the museum in 1997. Grant money will be used to refinish the church floor.
Volunteers Sandra Blades, Charlie Miner and Pamela Schaub invite everyone to come to their museum and check out the refinished Anglican Church. The trio are proud of their museum and the stories it holds.
With the help of the RCF grant, the floors of this 1937 Anglican Church have been refinished and returned to their original glory.
The historic Anglican Church holds pride of place at the Drayton Valley and District Historical Society museum.
The Drayton Valley & District Historical Society
Anglican Church Floor Restoration Project
Drayton Valley, Alta.
Awarded $10,000
Built in 1937, the Anglican Church has been a key part of the community and now the historical society. The church is now one of the museum’s main buildings for tours and educational programs. Preserving the history of the area, its stories, artifacts and buildings is key for the historical society.
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Earlier, the society restored the church roof, belfry and inner ceiling. When volunteers removed the linoleum on the church floor they were delighted to discover the original wood floor was still intact, but in need of restoration. Restoring the floor will help maintain the integrity and historical significance of the building.
The museum is located next to a campground, swimming pool, ball diamonds and conference centre and during the summer the museum attracts visitors and locals who spend time in the community.
The Bow Valley Riding Association added perimeter fencing around their facility to ensure young horses and riders feel safe in the busy recreation corridor.
Kandace Krause, Chloe Vance, Quinn Vance, Kat Bowes, Amy Nelson and Laurie Smith are all active members of the Bow Valley Riding Association.
The money from the RCF grant was used to build 720-metres of fencing to keep out bikers and hikers that may scare the horses.
Kate Barker turns back to make sure Temperance Bowes is doing fine. Before the fence was installed, sometimes the horses would be startled by cyclists or hikers. Now the riders are more confident about riding with young horses and riders on the trails.
Bow Valley Riding Association
Perimeter Fence
Canmore, Alta.
Awarded $13,335
For more than 50 years the Bow Valley Riding Association has provided a do-it-yourself facility to allow owners to keep horses in the Bow Valley. The members shovel manure, repair fences, feed and water their horses and take lessons in the outdoor riding arena on the outskirts of Canmore.
Continue reading...With safety in mind, especially for young horses and riders, the group built a 720-metre perimeter fence around part of their leased land to give added protection for young horses and riders.
The facility is located on land leased from the provincial government with strict rules for land use and fencing.
The Montana-style fence will allow wildlife to crawl under or jump over, but deter hikers and bikers, who sometimes spook the horses. With improved safety for horses and riders, it is hoped even more members will be encouraged to join their equestrian community.
An old grocery is now used as the new Carmangay Community Center.
Since completing their community center, it has become the hub of the village and a place for friends to meet and have coffee.
Beryl Burke and Edith Svanes welcome visitors to the new community center.
Volunteers from a variety of community organizations joined together to create the Carmangay Community Center. The center will now be the place to meet for everyone in the community.
Carmangay Community Center Association
Carmangay Community Center
Carmangay, Alta.
Awarded $22,365
With a vision for the future, the Carmangay Community Center Association bought an old grocery store in their small village and created their own community center. Badly in need of renovations, volunteers rolled up their sleeves, raised money, fixed the leaky roof, changed windows and added a kitchen and bathrooms.
Continue reading...Money from the RCF grant was used to add noise-reducing tiles to the ceiling to dampen the sound caused by aluminum panels on the walls and ceiling. An industrial-grade vinyl plank floor will be added in the main hall to match the floor tiles in the recently added kitchen.
Many of the local community organizations identified the center as a priority and worked together on the project. The new center acts as the community hub for everyone. The center will be used for Farmers’ Markets, Christmas markets, children’s programs, funerals, family celebrations and meetings.
The new sun shelter at the Eaglesham Park is will attract visitors, give shelter and attract events to the small community.
The sun shelter is placed strategically at the centre of the park to allow visitors to watch the surrounding activities and stay sheltered from the weather.
What originally was an agricultural fairgrounds used once a year has evolved into a park that can be used year round.
With lots of room for picnic tables, the sun shelter is a protected place for picnics, family reunions and other events.
Eaglesham and District Agricultural Society
Sun Shelter Project
Eaglesham, Alta
Awarded $24,300
The Eaglesham Fairgrounds Park is now home to a 30 foot by 72 ft. building to provide shelter from sun, wind and rain during events at the park. The open sides of the fabric sun shelter allows visitors to watch events and visit while being protected from the weather.
Continue reading... The park has grown to be much more than a fairground. Various community groups, schools, individuals and families use the park’s ball diamond, playgrounds, riding area, buildings and campground from May to September. In the winter, residents can cross country ski along five kilometres of ski trails.
The new shelter makes the park more enjoyable and versatile for everyone and allows the community to attract more events to their region.
The old United Church has been given new life as a community space where concerts, yoga, painting and other activities can take place.
Emergency signs, new wiring, paint, a wheelchair accessible bathroom and new flooring have transformed the old church into a welcoming community space.
New flooring, paint, wiring an emergency exit and new flooring have transformed the old United church into a welcoming community space.
Shannon Gadsby hands out squares to Audrey Gall, Del Gardner, Rick Helgeson and Irene Bekevich in the new community space.
Nampa and District Historical Society
United Community Project
Nampa, Alta.
Awarded $30,000
A United Church has been transformed into a community cultural centre. The church, no longer in use, was donated to the historical society for $1 in 2015. Still in good shape, the church is now a multi-purpose community space that is accessible to everyone in the village and surrounding areas.
Continue reading...The building will be used as an extension of the museum to deliver cultural and heritage programming and house exhibits. Community members and organizations can also use the building to deliver programs and events like concerts, paint nights and yoga. The grant money was used to install a wheelchair accessible bathroom, utility room, emergency exit, new flooring, paint and wiring.