The Town of Bonnyville Council spent much of its July 14 meeting considering four funding requests from community organizations and event organizers, ultimately approving support for one event while declining three others.

Council members said they continue to balance supporting community initiatives with ensuring taxpayer dollars are used responsibly and consistently, particularly when requests come from for-profit organizations.

Big Smoke receives conditional support

The largest discussion centred around Big Smoke Bonnyville, organizers of the annual Kansas City Barbecue Society-sanctioned competition scheduled for Aug. 14-15 at Peter Kushner Ball Park.

Administration advised Council that organizers had requested $14,000 in sponsorship, an increase from the $10,000 initially presented to Council in June. The MD of Bonnyville previously approved a $1,000 sponsorship for the event.

Several councillors praised the event and acknowledged that it originated through the Town’s former Events Committee before transitioning to community organizers.

However, concerns were raised about the size of the request and the expectation that the event would eventually become financially self-sustaining.

Deputy Mayor Neil Langridge said he enjoys the event but found it difficult to support a request that had grown significantly from previous years.

Councillor Kayla Blanchette said she wanted to see the Town continue supporting an event it helped establish, but agreed the full request was too large.

Council ultimately approved a $1,000 Platinum-level sponsorship, matching the MD of Bonnyville’s contribution.

The funding is conditional on organizers completing their incorporation as a registered society before receiving the sponsorship.

International scaffolding competition request denied

Council also considered a sponsorship request from Youngchief Consulting & Training, which is sending a five-person team to compete in the 2027 North American Scaffold Builders Competition in Las Vegas.

According to administration, the team would be the first Canadian and first Indigenous team to compete at the international event.

Council discussed whether the request represented workforce development or a traditional sponsorship, noting that it did not clearly fit within existing municipal funding policies.

Following discussion, Council voted to deny the sponsorship request.

Broncs and Bulls sponsorship declined

Council also reviewed a request from Lakeland Xtreme Broncs and Bulls for $7,500 to become the presenting sponsor of the inaugural Xtreme Bulls Night Out, scheduled for Aug. 29 at the Bonnyville Rodeo Grounds.

The event will feature professional bull riding, barrel racing and a dance.

Administration noted the organizers are a for-profit organization, although a portion of proceeds will be directed to two non-profit organizations.

Councillors expressed support for the event itself but cited limited sponsorship funds, concerns about setting precedents for future requests from for-profit businesses, and the need to maintain fairness with other community organizations.

Council also discussed the possibility of providing in-kind assistance, such as Public Works support, if requested through administration rather than through a formal sponsorship.

Council ultimately voted to deny the sponsorship request.

Alex Janvier launch event also denied

The final request came from Janvier Mural and Fine Arts Ltd. for sponsorship of Soul Symphony: The Art of Alex Janvier, a film and launch event scheduled for Aug. 1-10 at the Cold Lake Energy Centre.

The project includes public film screenings celebrating renowned Indigenous artist Alex Janvier, along with a private luncheon featuring members of the Janvier family, Cold Lake First Nations representatives and event sponsors.

Following a brief discussion, including questions about whether the applicant was a for-profit organization, Council voted to deny the sponsorship request.

Council emphasizes consistent approach

Throughout the discussions, councillors repeatedly referenced the need to apply sponsorship policies consistently while managing limited municipal funding.

Although several members expressed support for many of the events themselves, they said sponsorship decisions must also consider fairness to other organizations, the Town’s available budget and whether applicants are operating as non-profit or for-profit organizations.