Annual General Meeting Synopsis
On the evening of Thursday January 22, 2026, 17 community supporters attended our Annual General Meeting at the De Winton Hall. The meeting was short and sweet with time afterwards for coffee, treats and socializing with friends and neighbours.
Some of the highlights include:
• With 30-year-old infrastructure and equipment, the hall has been working on addressing critical needs, including a major project to replace the roof. The shakes are in general disrepair, cracked and missing. This past year involved much research and comparison and the DCA has elected to upgrade to a rubberized product for durability, longevity and safety in 2026. Due to the size of this project, we have applied for partial funding under the Alberta Community Facility Enhancement Program (CFEP). As well, we applied for a grant from the Dunbow Recreation Board for partial funding.
• Over Christmas, we had our hall ceiling re-sprayed. Next, inside the hall will be floor refinishing and LED lightbulbs.
• Shirle Ternan, our Treasurer, indicated DCA made a moderate profit for 2025. However, with more extraordinary repairs on the horizon, including two furnaces and a boiler, we will likely be dipping into our reserves this upcoming year and next.
• The annual audit was completed by Judy Stasiuk, and she has been appointed as the DCA Auditor for 2026. We really appreciate Judy volunteering her services!
• With major repairs, maintenance and replacement of several systems on the horizon, the Board approved establishing a capital project fund. As such, last year (and this year), the DCA put aside $10K to go towards major projects required for the sustainability of the hall.
• The DCA received $70K in December 2024 from a casino fundraiser. This fundraiser is of great importance for the DCA’s cash flow, and we would be hard pressed to raise this amount of funding by any other means. Our next casino fundraiser is anticipated to be in 2028.
• The casino fundraiser and rentals are our main sources of income. These funds allow us to maintain the hall and provide activities and events for members.
• DCA continues to host several events and activities this year. Canada Day Breakfast, Paint and Sip nights, Family Halloween Party, Christmas Craft Fair, Dog Scent Classes, and Social events are favourites with the community.
• Our Canada Day Breakfast set a new record, with 800 people attending. This is double what we had expected!
• We continue to offer free access to members: Bridge, Stretching/Yoga, Coffee Club, Quilting, Canasta, and De Winton Pony Club.
• Matt, our Hall Manager, has now been with us for a year. He is a great addition to the DCA and has made many new connections with members and the community.
• Our third-party preschool continues to be a great addition to the community. Birchwood opened in 2024 with a Reggio-inspired program for children ages three to five. At the DCA Christmas Craft Fair, the teachers and parents of Birchwood hosted a bake sale, raising $546, which they then donated to the Okotoks Food Bank. Well Done!
• Foothills County continues to contribute towards the hall. They provide funds towards or annual spring cleanup, as well as the Canada Day breakfast. In addition, they look after plowing our parking lot and do a fabulous job!
• Over the past year, and years, the DCA has applied for grants from the Dunbow Recreation Board (DRB). Last year, the DRB has contributed funds towards revamping our highway signs. This project is currently in progress. The DRB has been a great help to us, as well as others in Foothills County.
• We are always in need of volunteers to organize events. Last year new volunteers stepped forward to organize the Family Halloween Party (175 attendees!) and Christmas Craft Fair (22 vendors). For 2026, previously suspended events, will return due to new volunteers stepping up for the Western Dance and Mother’s Day Tea. We are currently looking for a volunteer to help organize our annual Canada Day Breakfast. We are a volunteer organization. Without support, we can’t run these events!
• For those wishing to nominate a member, who displays long-term outstanding contributions to the community, for our Turnbull Award, please contact our Facility Manager at 403 938-2525 or [email protected].
• The DCA Board currently consists of eight Directors, growing to nine for 2026 with Chelsea McLeod re-joining. We are very excited to have her back.
A special thanks to all of our volunteers – we are not sustainable without your support!
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