YORKTON – Cornerstone Credit Union announced the recipients of their Project Cornerstone funding for 2022.
Four community projects have been chosen to receive a share of $75,000 – the most ever given out in a single year through the annual Project Cornerstone program.
The 2022 recipients are:
• Neudorf Community Hall – $25,000 for repairs to the hall’s basement floor
• Vibank Co-operative Community Centre – $20,000 for kitchen improvements
• Yorkton Minor Baseball – $20,000 for four new batting cages at Jubilee Park
• Saltcoats Volunteer Fire Department – $10,000 for new firefighting equipment
“We are very excited to help fund these projects. They are vital improvements for the residents who take pride in their communities,” said Cornerstone Credit Union CEO Doug Jones. “We look forward to following their progress and celebrating with them as they complete the projects.”
Over 70 deserving applications were submitted after Project Cornerstone applications opened in the spring. Eligible community groups were invited to apply for up to $50,000 for capital projects. Cornerstone Credit Union experienced a strong year financially and, after considering the quality of the applications, decided to invest $75,000 for 2022.
Since 2006, Project Cornerstone has awarded $451,000 to 41 community projects across the region. Applications for funding will open again in the spring of 2023.
About the Projects
Yorkton Minor Baseball
Yorkton Minor Baseball will receive $20,000 to construct four new batting cages at Jubilee Park. The organization has already raised $65,000 and will be able to complete the project with this funding.
The new batting cages will help young ball players improve their skills and offer a recreational opportunity to the community.
“This project has been approximately four years in the making,” said project manager Tom Courville. “We thank Cornerstone Credit Union for recognizing the value of the batting cages for our community and helping us reach our objective of completing it for the 2023 baseball season.”
Saltcoats Volunteer Fire Department
Saltcoats Volunteer Fire Department will receive $10,000 to help replace two expiring self-contained breathing apparatus and air tanks, as required by legislation.
The fire department provides services to the Town of Saltcoats and the surrounding rural municipality. The community has already raised several thousand dollars through raffles and a pancake breakfast to help cover these costs.
“We were a little shocked when we got the call that we had been selected for funding,” said Fire Chief Harry Smith. “This important funding will help our firefighters to be safer and better equipped when providing vital services to the community.”
Neudorf Community Hall
Neudorf Community Hall will receive $25,000 for repairs to the hall’s basement floor. The project involves removing old flooring, repairing sections of concrete that are cracking and heaving, and levelling the entire surface before installing new flooring.
As in many rural communities throughout the region, the hall is a hub of activity during the year. The facility is often rented out to the public for weddings, meetings, and other gatherings.
“We are beyond excited to have been chosen as one of Cornerstone's grant recipients this year,” said Jamie Schutz, chair of the Neudorf Community Hall Board. “This funding is pivotal for our small community organization and will help us achieve a renovation goal that would have otherwise taken us far longer to complete.”
Vibank Co-operative Community Centre
Vibank Co-operative Community Centre (VCCC) will receive $20,000 for kitchen upgrades. The renovations will improve the rink’s canteen with new appliances, countertops, cupboards, and serving windows.
Fundraisers, donations and surplus funds from canteen revenues will cover approximately half the cost of the project, with the rest funded through Project Cornerstone.
“We are thankful for Cornerstone’s generous funding,” said VCCC canteen director Crystal Petersen. “I’m excited to see our facility transform. It hasn’t seen any significant renovations in the canteen since its original build in 1975.”
