Dear Neighbours,
January is a time for resolutions, new goals, and reflection. As the Haysboro Community Association enters 2020, we have big decisions to make and tough choices to consider. The cost of doing business certainly hasn’t gone down – from utilities to snow removal contracts, insurance premiums, and running free programming. We’ve also got renovations and upkeep to do on the building.
Recently, we had our lifecycle report completed. This happens every five years and gives us a basis for repairs and renovations that need to happen within five years, and the projection of longevity of materials over 25 years. Windows, sinks, parking lot condition. Everything. The report concluded we need, on average, $96,000 annually for lifecycle maintenance.
Lifecycle maintenance is funded in two main ways – the Capital Conservation Grant (CCG), through the City of Calgary, which covers up to 75% of the items identified through the report and secondly the Community Facility Enhancement Program (CFEP), a provincially funded grant. In the 2018 City of Calgary budget deliberations, Mayor Nenshi recommended the proposed $600 million cut to the CCG added back in and to have that funding continue. It passed. The most recent UCP budget saw a 34% decrease in CFEP funding from $38 million to $25 million. The Alberta Lottery Fund, where CFEP funds were held in trust, has been dissolved with those funds going into general revenues for the province. This is concerning for the continuation of the CFEP grant. Less funds over more aging infrastructure means we need to be prudent with our asks and understand we’re likely going to be getting less of what we need.
It also means, as an organization, we’re having to decide which projects these grants can fund. With the significant amount of repair that our building and facilities still need, it means projects like a playground replacement, which could apply for CFEP funding, may have to wait. All grants are competitive, especially as all budgets get tightened. Playground replacements fall under operating expenditure for the City of Calgary, a budget we know is tight. This leaves us with the ask to fundraise for large projects, a volunteer intensive process.
We are fiscally stable, with our revenues exceeding our expenses by less than $10,000 annually. We have cash reserves but, of course, need to be cautious about depleting them. We’re exploring creative ways to stay healthy fiscally and, considering our revenue generating options, this could include raising rental fees or charging more for programming. We are looking at ways to attract more rentals and, yes, part of that is dressing the space for the part (i.e. expenditures on renovations). However, some upgrades, like re-paving of parking lots, or resurfacing the basement skate area are rental revenue generators and some of the costliest upgrades.
Why am I telling you all this? A few reasons. First is so you’re aware of our business. We operate for our members and the community at large. Second is so you understand how budget decisions impact us as community associations. We are one of the healthier, most stable, and best buildings in the city. Many will be struggling to stay open to serve their communities if budgets continue a downward trend. Rental rates have limited ability to go up. We want to serve the community with programming, events, and opportunities to gather. We want to be affordable, which is why our membership will stay at $5, we will continue to offer free events, and look to make sure our programming is aligned with market rates and allows us to break even at a minimum.
How can you help?
- Rent our space. Members get a 10% discount. Tell your friends to rent our space.
- Participate in our events and create a sense of community with us. Volunteer when you can.
- Buy a membership. Membership isn’t a revenue generator for us, but healthy numbers help our grant applications.
Thank you to everyone for a wonderful 2019. Here’s to an exciting time in 2020 and many great things to come.
Kourtney
