Woodstock Council approves up to $225,000 for tourism events, non-profits, and community initiatives
Expressing its interest in investing in the community, Woodstock council approved a plan that could see the town spend up to $225,000 to support significant tourist events, more community organizations, and town-based non-profits.
At the Jan. 14 regular council meeting, Mayor Trina Jones outlined details about the disbursement of $150,000 in community funds and $75,000 for tourism-based events.
Jones shared the finance committee recommendations, including thousands of dollars already committed to various organizations and projects.
The finance committee identified recipients for more than $50,000 of the $75,000 for events it hopes will attract hundreds of tourists and spur economic development.
The town has already committed $20,000 to support the Maritime Snowmobile Racing Championship at the Connell Park Raceway this February. The winter sports event’s return after a decades-long absence proved highly successful last February, pouring thousands of dollars into the local economy.
Coun. Jeff Bradbury supported the investment in MRSC and other tourist events but added that he wanted to see data showing the real economic impact.
Deputy Mayor Mark Rogers agreed, noting that Tourism Director Tobi Pirie and the Greater Woodstock Chamber of Commerce are working on ways to mine such data.
Jones said the town would try to formalize informal surveys, but feedback shows the snowmobile racing teams spent hundreds of thousands of dollars at local businesses.
The finance committee also recommended a similar $20,000 investment with the N.B. Bass Association for a summer bass tournament in downtown Woodstock.
The tournament will be part of a series in Upper St. John River Valley communities. Nackawic-Millville has enjoyed significant economic benefits from bass tournaments along its waterfront.
Jones said Nackawic-Millville Mayor Tim Fox explained to her recently how they gathered feedback from last summer’s successful Pan Am Bass Tournament.
“The returns on these investments are huge,” Jones said.
Coun. Julie Calhoun-Williams said that while Woodstock hosts several successful community activities which draw residents and visitors for a day, events like the snowmobile races and bass tournaments bring people to town for days.
Jones explained the tourism fund also committed $7,500 to the Hook and Paddle event this summer and $3,000 to the New Brunswick Sportfishing Association for its bass tournament.
In addition to its commitment to tourism events, the finance committee also recommended expanding potential access to the town’s community fund.
Jones said non-profits and community organizations in all four wards can apply for funding support.
She explained that this includes access to the $60,000 Community Capital Funds Grant funding, citing the Northampton Rec Centre as an example of a community group or organization that could apply for capital funding support.
Jones said the town will make application forms available as soon as possible. The finance committee will review the applications and make its recommendations to the council.
The mayor explained that the town had already committed $32,500 of available community funding through MOUs (Memorandum of Understanding), including $7,500 for the Woodstock Golf and Curling Club and a potential $7,500 for the Western Valley Panthers junior hockey team.
The town also agreed to donate $10,000 to the Meduxnekeag River Association.
The finance committee also recommended that the town partner with the golf club in a brush cleanup project to reduce fire risks around the course. Jones said the town agreed to commit $10,000 to the cleanup efforts and issue a request for proposals to undertake the project.
She said the town would consider increasing its contribution if the effort proved more expensive.
“You only need to turn on the news each night to understand why we’re not leaving fire hazards when we know there is one,” said Jones.
The finance committee also recommended that the town support two local animal shelter operations, including $5,000 for the DunRoamin Stray and Rescue’s cat spay and neuter program.
The town will also increase its annual donation to the Carleton County Animal Shelter from $3,000 to $5,000.
Jones noted that the shelter has previously assisted with animal control in Ward 4 but now supports animal control in all five wards.
Jones explained that town staff can approve donations up to $500 from a $5,000 community fund.
