The participatory budgeting process for District 5’s capital fund has concluded! Seven non-profit groups from District 5 applied for funding this year. The overall requested amount was $42,000, which means that a resident vote night isn’t required this year. The $50,000 I dedicate to Participatory Budgeting is enough to cover everyone’s asks. So all seven groups who applied will receive funding. Congratulations! It’s not a bad outcome to have everyone go away happy, but I will miss this year not having the direct citizen engagement that comes with the voting process. Here are the groups and projects that are being funded in 2026:
Nova Multifest, $2000
Nova Multifest is going digital. The festival, which takes place at Alderney Landing, is replacing paper coupons with a digital system. This system will be used by volunteers, vendors, and sponsors and will greatly speed up and streamline management of the food portion of the festival.
Mic Mac Amateur Aquatic Club, $10,000
The Mic Mac Amateur Aquatic Club is creating a new gym. The existing gym’s equipment is 30 years old and the gym’s location is not accessible. The Club is going to be building a new accessible gym by repurposing an existing boat bay and retiring all of their old gear.
Eastern Front Theatre, $5,000
Eastern Front Theatre is expanding their art project: Community Geese! You may have noticed at different special events, people wearing Sullivans Pond Geese costumes. The costumes are a product of Eastern Front Theatre at Alderney Landing. Last year, Eastern Front offered classes to teach people how to make their very own geese costumes. The classes were a success and district funding will help them cover the cost of more classes (each class 10-20 people). Participants will be able to make their own costume and join the Geese mailing list for opportunities to assemble with the rest of the flock!
Community Oven, $5,000
The Leighton Dillman Park Oven, Garden and Orchard Association will receive $5,000 to cover the cost of a new locally-made plastic picnic table from Lake City Works as well as other Oven supplies including safety equipment and tools. Weather permitting, the Oven is open every Saturday from 12:00 – 2:00 for the summer. The first open day was this past weekend so check out the Oven any weekend going forward.
North Grove, $5,000
The North Grove will use their funding to create a drop-in work space for youth in Dartmouth North. The North Grove has a number of youth programs, but not a dedicated space to house them. The dedicated space will provide the youth who participate in the North Grove’s programs with a room of their own.
MacPhee Centre, $10,000
The MacPhee Centre is upgrading the Centre’s studio space. The existing studio has poor acoustics and poor soundproofing. Improving the room’s sound control will help reduce noise throughout the building and allow multiple programs and activities to run more comfortably at the same time.
Back to the Sea Society, $5,000
Funding will go towards buying equipment to support another tank at the Back to the Sea Centre on Alderney Drive. The setup is necessary so that the Society can host a special ocean guest in the next few weeks! Stay tuned!
My thanks to all the groups for participating and for all the work that they do to make our community a better place. Thanks to Nadine in the Council Support Office for all her help in managing the administration of the district fund.