COLD LAKE – City of Cold Lake council has rejected a $5,000 grant request from local athlete and philanthropist Curtis Hargrove, who sought support for international marathon runs that aim to raise awareness for mental health, addiction, and suicide prevention.
The request came forward during the regular City council meeting on Feb. 11.
Hargrove, a resident of Cold Lake, has been running marathons across Canada and the United States to raise funds for the Cold Lake Stepping Stones Society, which is a local women’s shelter, and various other groups around the city.
The funding, provided under the Community Recreation, Art, Culture and Heritage Investments Grant Program, would aid Hargrove in running marathons around the world to promote mental health, addictions awareness, and oilfield suicide prevention, according to the City of Cold Lake.
Council deliberates
Coun. Vicky Lefebvre, who originally introduced the motion on Jan. 28, explained Hargrove’s request to council. She mentioned Hargrove reached out seeking sponsorship for his upcoming international marathons in locations such as Boston, Australia, and London.
Lefebvre emphasized Hargrove’s history of fundraising efforts within the community, noting, “He's raised approximately half a million dollars for various groups within the city. And this time he's looking for something, not more or less for himself, but something that will help him attend these runs.”
She explained the financial challenges Hargrove faces, as he takes six months off work for training and travels to these events.
Program eligibility
City of Cold Lake CAO Kevin Nagoya acknowledged that the request did not fully meet the usual timeline requirements but emphasized its urgency, stating that the grant was needed sooner for the applicant to proceed with his plans.
Nagoya pointed out that the initiative is connected to charitable efforts, such as fundraising for the Stepping Stones Society, but noted that there was no formal fundraising campaign listed under the organization.
While most councillors recognized Hargrove’s long-standing contributions, some raised concerns regarding the funding request.
Coun. Adele Richardson stated, “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 pointed out transparency concerns and questioned whether the request aligned with the City’s funding policies.
“Could this application have potentially come in sooner to meet those timelines?” she asked.
Coun. Ryan Bailey asked for clarification on eligible expenses, referring to the grant's guidelines which specify that the grant will not cover administrative costs, personal expenses, program-related fundraising expenses, legal fees, or wages and salaries.
Coun. Lefebvre clarified that Hargrove would be open to designating the funds specifically for travel expenses. “I think Curtis would be fine if he specified we'd want it for flights or whatever the case may be, confirmation of flights, things like that. He has no problem providing information such as that or for his hotels.”
Bailey proposed a friendly amendment to reduce the requested grant to $1,000, expressing concerns about whether the full amount was appropriate based on the grant's guidelines, which do not cover personal expenses or fundraising for individuals.
Bailey questioned whether certain items, like Hargrove's lost wages and personal expenses, should be funded, suggesting they might fall outside the grant's scope.
Lefebvre stated that the $1,000 was too low and she wouldn't consider it a friendly amendment. As a result, Bailey withdrew the motion.
Recognition for Cold Lake
One of the key aspects of Hargrove’s proposal was his commitment to representing the City of Cold Lake at international events.
“As he mentioned, he's willing to promote the city of Cold Lake, with clothing . . . and cite our names in all interviews and everything else and be sure he provides us with the recognition at all times,” Lefebvre explained.
Deputy Mayor Chris Vining expressed his appreciation for Hargrove but inquired whether any of Hargrove’s fundraising efforts were connected directly to local charities.
Lefebvre responded, “I don't believe they're linked back to our local organizations, but they're all linked to things that he's worked for us in the past in regard to mental health and in regard to addictions and helping women.”
The motion to approve the request was defeated, with only Lefebvre and Coun. Bob Mattice voting in favour.
