Fuchsia Dragon | [email protected]
A big grant scoop and a generous donation have helped Jasper Legion out of a tricky situation.
The Legion鈥檚 kitchen exhaust system was deemed not up to code and became a fire, health and safety issue, meaning it had to be fixed up this summer.
Thanks to local businesses and volunteers, the Legion came up with the equipment and manpower to be able to get the project completed quickly, but they did not have the funds to do so.
The Legion had been applying for grants to get the work done for five years and sent out letters asking for funding from our other local organizations.聽
But it looked like they were going to have to take out a high interest loan to cover the costs.
That was until an email from the Province of Alberta dropped in the Legion鈥檚 inbox.
鈥淭his is a game changer for us,鈥� said Paul Godbout, president of the Jasper branch.
Jasper Legion had won a $76,820 grant from the Culture, Multiculturalism and Status of Women department for building improvements.
And MLA Martin Long officially presented the money to the Legion on Friday afternoon.
He said: 鈥淚 am so proud to have the opportunity to present the big cheque to the Jasper branch of the Legion on behalf of the Government of Alberta minister of culture, multiculturalism and status of women.
鈥淭he community facility improvement program supports organizations that make substantial contribution to our communities, like the Legion that improves the quality of life for Albertans and make it a good place to live.
鈥淚t is an organization like the Legion that doesn鈥檛 forget and doesn鈥檛 turn its back on people who have contributed.
鈥淚 can't thank you enough for your contribution to the community and to veterans.鈥�
The Legion also received a $2,000 donation from the Lions Club of Jasper for the kitchen upgrade and compliance.
These funds will help the Legion pay for their project to change the inefficient 50-year-old furnaces in the building.
Godbout said the original furnaces from 1968 will be removed and the furnace/air conditioner currently on the roof will be moved and connected to the current ducts.
Legion member Ken Kuzminski said: 鈥淭his grant will help the Legion to save on energy costs and carbon dioxide output.
鈥淭he operating savings will be substantial.鈥�
And any money left over will go towards fixing the roof of the building.
The Legion and Legion Executive would like to thank Dave the Plumber, Jamie Walker at Longhorn Rentals, Yellowhead Refrigeration, Knauer Contracting, Jasper Park Plumbing and Heating, Helmig Fire and Safety, Paul Uyeda, Trevor Schapansky, Andres Linde, and Glenn Schlieman for helping put it all together.
