Three Eckville community programs are receiving funds from Lacombe County.
At the regular meeting on Nov. 28 county council allocated FCSS funding to 11 community programs including the Eckville and Area Children’s Playgroup, the Eckville and Community Youth Society, and the Eckville Recreation Board.
“It mostly probably will go towards trying to get some programs in for the kids,” said Delaine Tollefson, president of Eckville and Area Children’s Playgroup, adding they need the funding to keep operational costs going.
“I don’t feel like we need to go and do any fundraising,” continued Tollefson, “we’re getting by with our funding.”
The Eckville and Area Children’s Playgroup was granted $1,500 from the county.
Tollefson says the group is looking at bringing in more structured and educational play ideas, such as sportball, once a month.
She added the funds may also be used to replace a few of the broken toys or to throw some kids parties.
“We’re just trying to make it more family fun so the kids can just come and play if they want to,” said Tollefson.
Tollefson says the group’s numbers have been “considerably up” since August last year staying steady week-to-week at around 15 to 30 kids.
Last year the group also had children come from Rocky Mountain House and Benalto.
“That is kind of cool when we reach out past Eckville to the west because they’re not even really in our county,” explained Tollefson.
The drop-in style program takes is held in the Eckville Community Centre every Thursday.
Tollefson is hoping to make some trips to the spray park during the summer months, but during the winter the program is a great way for kids to be able to run and play.
“We want people to come and hang out and enjoy the time that we can let our kids just run free because in the winter it’s pretty hard to just go somewhere that’s free,” said Tollefson, adding funding is important as it allows the group to continue to provide a free service.
“It’s nice to just go and have a place to play and not have to pay anything,” Tollefson said.
Lacombe County Council allocated $2,500 to the Eckville and Community Youth Society while the Eckville Recreation Board will receive $2,000.