By KEVIN BERGER, Local Journalism Initiative
RM of Corman Park councillors recently approved a total of $3,600 in Saskatchewan Lotteries Community Grant funding for two local equestrian groups, but denied a request from a Dalmeny-based hockey program.
During the administration committee meeting on November 4, members approved two recommendations to council to grant $2,600 to the Corman Park Horse Riders Association and $1,000 to the Mirror Image Vaulters.
These recommendations were later adopted as part of the consent agenda at the November 25 council meeting.
At that same meeting, however, RM councillors denied a request from the Valley Growlers Carded Hockey program, which runs from November 1 to March 29, 2026 and is open to children who live within a 120 kilometre radius of Dalmeny.
The request had been for $3,427.50, but the RM only had $2,062.41 in remaining Sask Lotteries funds. Council opted instead to seek another use for the remaining money.
The Corman Park Horse Riders requested $2,600 in order to pay for the cost of equipment and facility rentals, program supplies and instructor fees associated with an event called the Gathering, which will take place on Boomtown Street at the Western Development Museum on March 26, 2026.
If the request was denied, it was noted some of the event programming would have to be reduced or cancelled and the current $50 ticket price would likely need to increase.
The Mirror Image Vaulters asked for $1,000 to assist with the cost of renting an indoor arena over the winter to ensure equestrian programming is available for a longer period of time, as well as to train younger horses.
It was noted in their application that the Mirror Image Vaulters are also working on a low-cost equestrian sporting program for those who don’t own a horse and can’t afford costly fees.
“I like the idea they’re willing to help out people who are low-income,” said Division 4 Councillor David Greenwood, who moved that the grant be approved.
Finally, the request from the Valley Growlers Carded Hockey program was meant to assist with the cost of facility rentals to ensure that their U9 and U11 participants can access ice times.
According to RM records, this was the program’s first request to Corman Park for this grant.
Administration also noted that 30 per cent of Lotteries funding must be allocated to under-represented groups and this request did not qualify.
Division 2 Councillor John Saleski expressed concern about this request, noting that it was from outside of the RM (although local children likely did participate in the program).
As well, he pointed out that there are dozens of hockey teams that do not receive Sask Lotteries funding despite their families paying thousands of dollars for their kids to play hockey.
“I think that we’re going to find other, better applications for the remainder of our Sask Lotteries money,” he said.
The Saskatchewan Lotteries Community Grant Program is a partnership among Sask Sport Inc., Sask Culture Inc., and the Saskatchewan Parks and Recreation Association Inc.
The program assists in the development of sport, culture, and recreation programs by providing funds to non-profit community organizations operated by volunteers.
The RM received a total of $33,798 in Sask Lotteries funding to distribute this year to non-profits. That money must be fully allocated prior to March 31, 2026.