Council recently approved the reallocation of grant funds for Hearts for Healthcare so the funds could be used for different equipment than originally requested.

In 2024, Cold Lake City Council granted $14,500 to Hearts for Healthcare toward the purchase of laparoscopic hysterectomy equipment, which would be used by a specific physician in the community at the time. However, despite multiple attempts to purchase the equipment, the supplier never provided quotes, and the physician has since left the community. 

“Specialized equipment can be expensive, and while we understand there is need in the community for more specialized care, we want to make sure the funds are being put toward something that can actively be used,” said Mayor Bob Mattice.

Because the funding was through the Community Recreation, Art, Culture, and Heritage Investment (CRACH) Grant, any change in its purpose required council approval or the funding had to be returned. 

In January 2026, City Council approved the request to redirect the funding to “other women’s health equipment” which is consistent with the 2024 Hearts for Healthcare 2024 request. The equipment purchased was three exam beds and two examination lights for Cold Lake Community Health Services, Cold Lake Primary Care Network (CLPCN), and the Elizabeth Métis Settlement Outreach Clinic.

“Women’s health can provide unique challenges and research that until more recent years, has been passed over,” said Mattice. “We are happy to try and turn that tide, even with something that may seem as small as examination beds and lights.” 

At the same meeting, four current funding requests through the CRACH Grant program. All four were approved for the following:

• Clayton Bellamy Foundation for the Arts in the amount of $5,000 for a sponsorship grant
• Cold Lake Library Board in the amount of $1,000 for a workshop and programming
• Flowing Hearts Indigenous Art Collective Inc in the amount of $1,000 toward support a showcase event
• Reegan Dehid in the amount of $1,000 in support of professional development toward music recordings and a studio single release.

More information on CRACH and other grants can be found at www.coldlake.com/grants