Cold Lake city council has denied a $5,000 grant request from local athlete and philanthropist Curtis Hargrove, who requested funding to support his international marathon efforts raising awareness for mental health, addiction, and suicide prevention.
Hargrove, known for his dedicated fundraising in Cold Lake, made his request during the February 11 council meeting. He has raised approximately half a million dollars for different causes, including the Cold Lake Stepping Stones Society, a local women’s shelter. His grant application, submitted under the Community Recreation, Art, Culture and Heritage Investments Grant Program, aimed to help him participate in marathons worldwide, including marathons in Boston, Australia, and London, to promote his advocacy efforts.
Councillor Vicky Lefebvre, who introduced the motion, highlighted Hargrove’s commitment to fundraising, explaining that he takes six months off work for training and travel. She emphasized that his efforts were not for personal gain but to continue his charitable work on a larger scale.
However, concerns were raised about whether the grant met the program’s requirements. CAO Kevin Nagoya noted that while the request had charitable ties, there was no formal fundraising campaign currently listed under the Stepping Stones Society. The grant program also has specific rules that prevent funding for personal expenses, wages and certain types of fundraising efforts.
Councillor Adele Richardson voiced concerns over transparency, stating, “I do have quite a few concerns, I feel, with this application… That a lot of this is his own fundraising for him to travel the world.” She questioned whether the request aligned with the city funding policies and if it could have been submitted earlier to meet the proper deadlines.
Councillor Ryan Bailey proposed reducing the grant to $1,000, citing concerns about covering personal expenses. He pointed out that the grant is not meant to fund an individual’s travel costs. Lefebvre responded that Hargrove would be open to designating the funds specifically for flights and accommodations, but she ultimately rejected the amendment, leading bailey to withdraw it.
One of Hargrove’s proposals was his commitment to promoting Cold Lake at international events by wearing branded clothing and mentioning the city in interviews. While a few councillors acknowledged his past contributions, Deputy Mayor Chris Vining questioned whether his current fundraising efforts were directly benefiting local charities.
Lefebvre acknowledged that while his advocacy aligned with past local initiatives, it was not directly linked to Cold Lake organizations.
The motion was defeated, with only councillors Vicky Lefebvre and Bob Mattice voting in favor of the funding request.
