CENTRE WELLINGTON – Centre Wellington council has approved allocating slots revenue toward two arts and culture groups’ capital projects.
Based on Centre Wellington policy, five per cent of OLG payments received in the previous year can be put towards arts, culture and heritage purposes.
A report by Dan Wilson estimates approximately $46,000 in eligible funds from 2020 OLG revenue.
With casino closures, Centre Wellington saw a $2 million decline in OLG funds in 2020.
At Monday afternoon’s council meeting, councillors were presented with an option to give funding to the Elora Centre for the Arts (ECTA) and the Fergus Scottish Festival, or to retain the funding and allocate it in 2022.
Councillors spoke in favour of allocating funding towards the two groups who had delegated at a December budget meeting with asks for funding.
The ECTA requested $20,000 to help with ongoing maintenance that has been identified through a building audit.
Some repairs noted in a ECTA presentation included:
- Window and door perimeter sealants
- Art studio emergency exit door and transom
- Art gallery ceiling repair
- Leaking flat roof
- Handrails for steep stairs
- Various boiler room repairs
- Carbon monoxide detectors
The Fergus Scottish Festival and Highland Games requested $50,000 for infrastructure projects at the CW Sportsplex.
A letter to council said the festival is looking to improve fibre communications infrastructure, pavement improvements and campground upgrades at the sportsplex.
The two requests couldn’t be fully met but council approved a suggestion from councillor Ian MacRae’s of $17,000 to ECTA and $29,000 to the Fergus Scottish Festival.
Council approved this recommendation in a 6-1 vote with councillor Kirk McElwain against. McElwain said he felt the ECTA made a reasonable ask and wanted to fulfill their request.
