By KEVIN BERGER, Local Journalism Initiative
RM of Corman Park councillors have approved two early requests from the Corman Park Horse Riders Association and the Country Kids Co-operative Preschool for a total of $5,400 in Saskatchewan Lotteries Community Grant funding.
The two requests were unanimously approved during the May 26 council meeting, despite the fact the municipality has not technically received its annual allocation from Sask Lotteries.
The Community Grant Program assists in the development of sport, culture and recreation programs by providing funds to non-profit community organizations operated by volunteers.
The actual responsibility for allocating the money falls to partners like the RM of Corman Park, which receives applications from interested parties and then decides how to best distribute the funds.
Assistant to the Chief Administrative Officer Benjamin Sipple said the RM expects to receive $38,823 in total funding for the current funding year, which runs April 1, 2026 to March 31, 2027.
“This funding has not been dispersed to the RM as of yet, but it will be once the 2025-2026 follow-up report has been approved,” he said.
The first request was from the Corman Park Horse Riders Association, who asked for $2,900 to assist with equipment costs and instructor fees for four events being hosted at the Grasswood Horse Park south of Saskatoon between May and September.
These include the Jody Busch Trail Course Lesson Series, three one-day trail challenge competitions, a chore team competition on June 27 and a “Salty Seniors” day on August 8.
The association had previously received $5,100 last year, though it did submit the needed follow-up reports describing how the money was used.
In its application, the association noted there are very few (if any) horse-centred spaces in the RM that are also open to the general public. Denying their request could mean possibly cancelling some aspects of the four events.
The other request was for $2,500 from the Country Kids Co-operative Preschool, which operates in the southern portion of the RM.
The money would be used to assist with the costs of facility rentals, supplies for crafts and science experiments, and special events like field trips.
Sipple noted the preschool had previously requested $2,500 during the 2025-2026 funding cycle and successfully submitted its follow-up reports.
If council had chosen to deny the request, the preschool would have to operate at a deficit and reduce its programming or potentially increase fees.