District 5’s participatory budget night is just under a week away. Together, we’ll allocate $50,000 of District 5’s capital fund to non-profit groups. Participatory budgeting gives people a direct say in how our money is spent. It also builds community capacity by mixing together non-profits and some of the most engaged people in our community.
If you haven’t been to participatory budgeting before, the way it works is all the groups setup in the Findlay Community Centre gym science fair style. Residents of District 5 can then circulate to learn more about the proposed projects, and vote on which ones they want to see funded. You must pick five projects for your ballot to be valid. Everyone who lives in District 5 can vote, including kids.
Voting will take place on Tuesday November 5 from 6:00 – 8:00 at the Findlay Community Centre. Below is the list of projects up for consideration.
Banook Canoe Club
Banook Canoe Club is a non-profit paddling organization, blending high-performance training with recreational programs. The Club is requesting $5,000 toward the purchase of 8 mini-kayaks to support current and new programming for youth.
https://banookcanoeclub.com/
Bicentennial School Music Program
The Bicentennial School Music Program, operating out of Bicentennial School, regularly holds coffee houses, talent shows, band, music, guitar club, performance choirs, and an annual musical production. The Program is requesting $8,500 toward improvements to the school’s stage, including stage curtains, tracks, and lighting.
https://bic.hrce.ca/
Common Roots – Woodside
Common Roots-Woodside is an urban farm and community garden on the grounds of the Nova Scotia Hospital. Common Roots is a project of the non-profit MetroWorks Employment Assoc. Common Roots-Woodside uses gardening as a way to promote physical and mental health. They are requesting $5,000 for materials to frame community garden plots and to create seating for the garden area.
http://commonrootsurbanfarm.ca/common-roots-woodside/
Dartmouth Crossing Speed Skating Club
The Dartmouth Crossing Speed Skating Club was established in 2016 to bring speed skating back to Dartmouth through the opportunity presented by the inclusion of an Olympic-size ice surface in the four-pad arena RBC Centre in Burnside. The Club is requesting $10,000 toward the acquisition of safety pads so that skaters can train safely.
http://www.dcspeedskate.ca/
Dartmouth and District Pipe Band
The Dartmouth and District Pipe Band is a non-profit organization which consists of a grade four and grade five competition band, a parade band, and a well-established bagpipe and drumming school. The Band is requesting $9,612.85 toward the purchase of 9 drums, cases and carriers in advance of travelling to Glasgow, Scotland in 2020 to compete in the World Pipe Band Championships.
https://www.dartmouthpipeband.com/
Dartmouth Heritage Museum Society
The Dartmouth Heritage Museum is a non-profit community museum which focuses on protecting, preserving and promoting the history of Dartmouth and surrounding area. The Society is requesting materials and equipment to continue work on the 5-year DHM Garden Destination Project, which aims to make the gardens at the two museums operated by the Society – Evergreen House (26 Newcastle St) and Quaker House (57 Ochterloney St) – destinations for the Dartmouth community and tourists alike.
https://www.dartmouthheritagemuseum.ns.ca/
Maritime Pollinator Society
The Maritime Pollinator Society is a non-profit society created to support projects aimed at helping pollinating insects. Their first project is the Downtown Dartmouth Monarch Project, which grows swamp milkweed plants – the only plant eaten by the monarch caterpillar – and gives them to local gardeners. The Society is requesting $1,128.35 for a three-tier seedling stand, trays and peat moss pellets to increase production of swamp milkweed plants.
https://www.facebook.com/groups/363559667585355/
Mic Mac Amateur Aquatic Club
Mic Mac Amateur Aquatic Club is a non-profit organization that fosters community involvement and personal growth through social, recreational, and athletic endeavors. The Club is requesting $10,000 toward the cost of roof repairs.
http://www.micmacaac.com/
Oakwood Terrace Recreation Department
Oakwood Terrace is a not-for-profit long-term care facility that provides geriatric care to seniors. They are requesting $4,000 toward the cost of a new digital piano, to replace their existing aging model. The new piano will benefit residents of Oakwood Terrace, as well as community groups such as fiddle, dance, and church groups, cubs, sparks and school groups, who use the multipurpose room to entertain and practice.
http://www.oakwoodterrace.ns.ca/
Re-Imagining Atlantic Harbours League
Re-Imagining Atlantic Harbours League is a non-profit organization which aims to empower every citizen to become a citizen scientist and Re-imagine Atlantic Harbours by thinking about your harbor and how you interact with, affect, and speak about it. The League is requesting $5,000 toward a Dartmouth waterfront panel design for hosting integrated watershed management dialogue.
http://rah2050.ca/
Senobe Aquatic Club
Senobe Aquatic Club is a non-profit paddling club which provides competitive and recreational paddling programs for children, youth, and adults who want to take part in the sport of paddling. The Club is requesting $5,000 toward the cost of a shelter and equipment for summer day camp participants.
http://www.senobe.com/
St. George’s Tennis Club
St. George’s Tennis Club is a non-profit community recreation facility with a five-court tennis club focusing on youth and adult lessons and recreational play. The Club is requesting $10,000 toward the costs of upgrades to washroom facilities.
http://www.stgeorgestennisclub.com/