BARRHEAD - The Town of Barrhead will not financially support the Lazy Daze Light Horse Club and its September annual Fall Flingy Barrel Jackpot Event.
However, council did not close the door entirely to the organization, instead tabling further discussion at their April 22 meeting until administration can get more information about the event.
Specifically, councillors suggested they would be willing to provide work-in-kind support.
The Lazy Daze Light Horse Club is an equestrian club based out of the Mosside Community Centre, specializing in gymkhana. The Fall and Flingy competition will be held on the Barrhead Agricultural Society's rodeo grounds on the Sept. 6 and 7 weekend.
The not-for-profit society asked council to consider purchasing a sponsorship for the event or donating an item to the club that could be used as a potential prize via a form letter.
Corporate services director Jennifer Mantay noted that the club has sponsorship levels ranging from under $100 to $1,500.
She said if council chose to donate financially, the funds would come from its miscellaneous grants to the organization fund, which was initially set at $12,500.
"So far this year, the only thing to come out of that fund is the [upcoming Queen of Hearts Triathlon in August]," she said.
At their Feb. 12 meeting, councillors approved a request from event organizers asking for the exclusive Barrhead Regional Aquatics Centre, the Agrena's Charles Godberson Rotary Room, the curling rink rent-free along with a large portion of the parking lot surrounding the swimming pool, curling rink and Blue Heron Bowl for the duration of the event rent free. Council approved the request, giving the organizers a grant for the cost of the facility rentals.
Coun. Rod Klumph asked if the municipality had sponsored any other event.
Mantay said not really; adding to her knowledge, council had only approved sponsorship requests for larger events, the latest being the Alberta Trappers Association (ATA) Rendezvous & Outdoorsmen Show in July 2024.
"That was the big one at $5,000," she said.
The ATA represents over 2,200 trappers, various corporate entities, and related businesses within the province. It is also the only government-recognized association for trapping in Alberta.
The other significant outlay from the fund in 2024, Mantay said, was the rental of the Agrena for National Indigenous Peoples Day festivities.
"Coun. Don Smith said council needs to be careful about who they donate to.
"I don't think it's council's role to give $250, or $500, to these types of organizations because no matter how worthy they are, what you will end up having is all these groups coming to council for their money," he said, suggesting that they concentrate their efforts and budget towards the larger events.
Coun. Dausen Kluin agreed but noted the event; although it was not on the same scale as the Alberta Trappers, it wasn't insignificant.
He said the Lazy Daze Light Horse Club expects upwards of 200 riders to attend the competition.
"I would be open to giving them five or 10 swim passes, something like that," Kluin added.
Mayor Dave McKenzie also agreed with Smith but suggested a non-monetary donation.
"Maybe we could [give or donate something else] that would add value to the event instead of just giving money," he said, adding he wasn't familiar enough with the event to suggest what the donation could be.
Coun. Ty Assaf said he was inclined to reject the request off-hand as it was too broad.
"Groups usually have an ask, something we can decide on. Here, a group is asking us to take out our chequebook for some unspoken amount. There is no ask," he said.
Assaf closed the discussion by moving the item to the table, allowing administration to determine if there was a way the municipality could "add value" to the event through an in-kind donation.
Barry Kerton, TownandCountryToday.com
