By KEVIN BERGER, Local Journalism Initiative
Following an in-camera discussion, RM of Corman Park councillors voted unanimously during their September 22 meeting to approve a donation of $20,730 to the South Corman Park Community Association (SCPCA) to assist with the annual operating costs of their log cabin, dome and ball diamonds.
This donation is subject to two conditions: first, that the SCPCA must accept two council-appointed volunteers to serve on its board; and second, that an agreement must be reached with the community association with administrative requirements similar to the Municipal Reserve funding agreements with organized hamlets.
As noted in a letter from the SCPCA that was included with the September 22 meeting agenda package, the South Corman Park Log Cabin serves as a “vital hub” for the local community, hosting a variety of before and after-school programs, kindercare and preschool programs, piano lessons and seasonal community activities.
“These programs are relied upon by many families in the area and contribute significantly to the social and developmental well-being of our children,” the SCPCA letter states.
In recent years, the SCPCA has relied on private rentals of the facility to offset operational costs, but this has disrupted the quality of the association’s initiatives, particularly the before and after-school and preschool programs. It also increases wear on the facility.
The donation would help the association significantly reduce or eliminate the need for private weekend and evening rentals during the school year, the letter notes.
An administration report included with the letter adds that construction of the updated South Corman Park School is still awaiting final approval, and as a result, the area is in need of a community space to support local programming.
Additionally, the SCPCA asked for assistance with winter ice maintenance on their outdoor rink, noting the community would benefit from a nominal paid position to help maintain the ice from December to March.
The $20,730 donation was based on the association’s projected 2026 operating expenses.
The administration report notes the RM has previously provided over $277,000 in funding to the SCPCA over the past nine years, excluding any rentals of the log cabin for election polling locations and staff events, as well as Saskatchewan Lotteries/Recreation grants.
This includes a $31,806.76 contribution for repairs to the log cabin in 2017; a $20,000 contribution in 2020 for a feasibility study); a $10,000 donation in 2021; $45,832.50 for a feasibility study in 2023/2024 and an additional $170,050.35 in 2024 to help renovate the log cabin, create a ballpark and oversee the installation of the sprung structure (the dome).
However, the RM did turn down a proposal for a community recreation centre in 2021 due to the scope of the project and the possibility that the RM would have to chip in operational funding.
The administration report noted the RM currently has $9,700 remaining in its donation account, and any money spent outside of that amount would have to be accounted for in the 2026 annual budget.
Up until this point, the RM has only made one other donation this year, not including Lotteries and property tax grants: a $300 donation to the Delisle Library Branch in April.
The South Corman Park Community Association asked the RM of Corman Park for a $20,730 donation to help reduce their reliance on facility rentals, which has adversely affected programming.