By KEVIN BERGER, Local Journalism Initiative
RM of Corman Park councillors voted during their August 18 meeting to approve a total of $10,000 in 2026 Saskatchewan Lotteries Community Grant funding for two Dalmeny-based organizations and a dragon boat team with membership in the RM.
The Saskatchewan Lotteries Community Grant program assists in the development of sport, culture and recreation programs by providing funds to non-profit organizations operated by volunteers.
The RM of Corman Park was given $38,823 for the current funding year to distribute to local non-profits before the deadline of March 31, 2027. With the approval of these three grants, the RM still has $21,098 left to disperse.
The first grant approved by council was $2,500 for the Dalmeny Skating Club, which will use the money to help with the cost of renting the Dalmeny Arena.
Benjamin Sipple, Executive Assistant to the CAO, noted this was the first request submitted this year by the Dalmeny Skating Club, though they did receive $2,500 the previous year.
The club’s application indicated that if their request was denied, they would either have to “significantly” increase fees or possibly even dissolve their organization.
The second request was for $3,500 from the “Busting with Energy” Dragon Boat Team to assist with the cost of renting various facilities, including the Affinity Community Hall in Langham, as well as the boats themselves.
In their application, it is noted that any breast cancer survivor or woman undergoing treatment for breast cancer is welcome to join the team.
“We involve ourselves in the communities to show that there is life after cancer,” the application states, noting that they attend various get-togethers and festivals and also exercise together.
Sipple noted this was the team’s first request this year, though they did receive $3,000 in the 2025-2026 funding cycle.
Division 8 Councillor Wendy Trask moved to award the grant, noting that she was familiar with a number of women on the team who live in the municipality.
“I think it’s a great organization to support, and they’re always fundraising. So they’re not just out asking for money … they fundraise a great deal,” she said.
Finally, council approved a request for $4,000 from the Dalmeny Seniors, to be used to help cover the cost of facility rentals, instructor fees, program supplies and facility operations.
Specifically, their application refers to exercise classes being held three times a week, as well as twice-monthly visits to the nursing home and a ukulele group that plays at the daycare, library and elementary school.
“Many seniors tend to become inactive, both mentally and physically. We are attempting to combat that trend by encouraging our members to participate in exercise, arts, crafts, card playing and monthly social events,” their application notes.
Sipple said this was the first request this year from the Dalmeny Seniors, who also received $4,000 last year. Without the funding, they would have to discontinue some programs and increase their fees.
After all three grants were approved, Division 6 Councillor Steven Balzer asked if council should consider another way to approving these grants than the current “first come first served” approach.
“I’m just thinking proactively that we might want to consider just a little refinement of the process, so we aren’t in a position where we’ve given all the funds away to repeat racehorses in the first three (to) six months,” he said.
While administration was open to any changes council wished to make, Sipple noted that they have never been in the position where groups were asking for money and they had run out —in fact, the opposite has been the case as recently as last year.