Minto council approves $10,000 from the town’s COVID-19 community group relief funding for the Minto Minor Hockey Association.
During Tuesday night’s council meeting, CAO Derrick Thomson received a letter from Minto Minor Hockey Association regarding the possible COVID relief funding that is available to groups that struggled during the 2020-2021 season.
At the end of the hockey season, the association incurred a deficit of $14,800.
“During the season, registration numbers were down 28 per cent. We are currently experiencing lower numbers again this season. When games were permitted, we did not take admission at the door. Therefore, the cost of the referees was on minor hockey,” said Geoff Gunson, co-president of the association.
“Minor hockey was not permitted to have tournaments. In past years, tournaments would generate around $20,000. Minor Hockey had to issue back refunds to families when we had no programming from Christmas to February 16. COVID-19 made it very difficult for businesses to donate money to MMH. Our donations were at an all-time low.”
Thomson pointed out the association’s funding request could be covered from an allocation to assist community groups from a fund of money provided by the provincial and federal governments for local COVID-19 relief efforts.
The town allocated $25,000 for community groups, which council already approved $10,000 of it toward the Senior Centre for Excellence back in August.
“I agree to providing $10,000 and just leave the rest to the association to ask other groups to fund the rest of the deficit; this way we still have enough funding for other groups who need it,” said Coun. Judy Dirksen.
Council unanimously approved the funding request.
