Hall Board Funding during COVID-19

During the General Government Committee meeting on March 29, 2021, Councillor Traill addressed the challenges faced by hall boards due to COVID-19. He noted that many hall boards have experienced little to no bookings, making it difficult for them to cover essential costs such as utilities and personal protective equipment (PPE). Councillor Traill highlighted that even prior to the pandemic, these boards struggled with expenses related to utilities, maintenance, and snow removal, which negatively impacted volunteerism and morale. In response, a resolution was passed to have staff report back on eligibility criteria for hall boards to apply for one-time funding from the Tax Rate Stabilization Reserve Fund. This funding would be in addition to a previously received grant of $3,000 per hall board, with amounts determined based on need. The resolution also called for staff to explore long-term funding options to support ongoing expenses for hall boards to ensure their viability moving forward.