‘Remember the amount of infrastructure:’ Community leagues fear changes to Alberta gaming funding model

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Edmonton and Calgary’s community leagues are trying to head off a potential change to gaming revenues from the Alberta government that could cut money going to urban non-profits who rely on them.

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In a Sept. 24 letter to Finance Minister Travis Toews, both the Edmonton Federation of Community Leagues and the Federation of Calgary Communities said there are thousands of volunteers in both cities who rely on gaming revenue to ensure that public spaces stay safe and open.

While the changes haven’t been formally proposed by the government, Laura Cunningham-Shpeley, executive director of the Edmonton Federation of Community Leagues, said after engagements with Alberta Gaming, Liquor and Cannabis (AGLC), the federation is concerned a possible shift is coming in how gaming revenue is dispersed among rural and urban associations. Both cities federations say the changes could hurt urban non-profits’ ability to build and operate public amenities like community halls, ice rinks, arenas, water parks, playgrounds, parks and outdoor pools.

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Cunningham-Shpeley estimates the difference in funding could be in the millions of dollars for Edmonton non-profits.

“We’re trying to say, remember the amount of infrastructure that exists here … so the impact will be felt very much if that gaming revenue is reduced,” she said, adding there are thousands of non-profits in both cities that will struggle if gaming revenue changes.

“Leagues do so many things — weekly recreation programs, not only for kids, but for adults, right across the city … if this infrastructure crumbles there will be wide impact across our city,” said Cunningham-Shpeley, who added the government has not communicated whether or not the changes will go forward.

“We’re doing our best just to kind of keep on but we don’t want to leave it too late,” she said.

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Kassandra Kitz, press secretary to Toews, said in a Friday statement it is too early to assume anything from stakeholder engagements.

“AGLC continues to work with charities and has listened to their concerns. They are looking at the issues raised, and will be working to find a solution that works for both charities and the AGLC. They will have more to say on this soon, but they remain committed to ensuring charities continue to effectively raise money through charitable gaming,” Kitz wrote.

The federations’ letter said that between Edmonton and Calgary’s 302 community associations and leagues, volunteers have built and maintained more than $750 million in community-based infrastructure.

It added many major amenities were built between 1960 and 1980 with provincial grant funding, but they need ongoing improvements including roofing upkeep, structural repairs, and ventilation upgrades. The letter also noted the grants that leagues apply for to do the work often require matching funds, and in many cases, gaming funds are leveraged as those matching funds.

Cunningham-Shpeley said her concern is what the next 10 years will look like if the model changes.

“Where are leagues going to access funds? They are limited in what they can access,” she said.

lijohnson@postmedia.com

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