CHESTER - Twenty-two organizations received recreation grants from the municipal government this fiscal year in the amount of $19,500.

 Municipal council approved the grants list at its October 29 meeting.

 The amount funded by council was less than half the total request of $47,548.96 by 25 organizations.

 "That's fairly typical," Warden Allen Webber said. "The gap is becoming wider over the years. Obviously, not everybody can get what they want. I still think we're making wise choices in how we expend the money and trying to provide as much assistance to those who need it most and provide the most benefit that we can."

 The two largest grants total $2,100 each for the Basin Recreation Park and Chester Minor Hockey.

 The remainder of the grants, from highest to lowest, are as follows.

 The Ocean Swells Community Centre ($1,800), Hubbards Barn and Community Park ($1,500), East Chester Recreation Association ($1,500), Chester Junior Sailing ($1,200), Captain Kidd Rod and Gun Club ($1,200), Chester District Swimming Program ($1,000), Aspotogan Recreation Association ($900), Chester Art Centre Association ($800), Basin Gardeners Association ($700), Chester Clippers Junior Hockey Club ($500), New Ross Farmers' Association ($500), Shore Riders ATV Club ($500), Shoreham Village Volunteer Program ($500), Aspotogan Arts and Crafts ($400), Blandford Seasiders Seniors Club ($400), Charing Cross Manor ($400), Chester Garden Club ($400), Forties Garden Club ($400), and the Navy League of Canada, Chester Branch ($400).

 Those organizations refused grants included Chester Area Middle School, which was seeking $5,000. The school was denied because it's not incorporated as a non-profit organization.

 Both the Chester Theatre Council ($1,000) and the Lunenburg County Senior's Advisory Committee ($500) were denied recreation grants because they've already received money from other council funds.

 Council agreed to set aside an additional $500 for startup grants. However, should that money not be given out before March 31, 2010, it will be given to PRO Kids.

 "There's no question the organizations depend on and have depended on for quite some time on the grant from council as part of their operating budget," Mr. Webber said. "Although that is not exactly what we hope, it's just a sign of the times. The question is, just what level of support can we provide over time?"

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 Council also approved a number of community grants at the meeting.

 The Chester Playhouse was granted $10,000 - $5,000 for this and next year.

 The Victoria Order of Nurses was granted $1,500.

 A grant of $10,021 was also given to Destination Southwest Nova as part of the municipal tourism budget.

 "Last year we gave them $5,000 which is only half of what they asked for," Mr. Webber said. "We are one of the few councils in the area that does fully fund them."

posted on 11/10/09