After a fun filled night six projects receive full funding, and one receiving partial funding.

Voting took place Wednesday evening in the Halifax Central Library, with 405 residents of all ages coming out to decide which community projects would receive funding for 2018/19.

“It is very rewarding to see the expectation and excitement from residents, especially the school age kids” said Waye Mason, Deputy Mayor and Councillor for District 7.

Each district in Halifax has a budget of $94,000 for a District Capital Fund for permanent projects in the community that provide widespread community benefit. For the last six years community members in District 7 have proposed projects, made recommendations on how to spend this money, and voted on what should be funded.

Full funding was provided to:

• Le Marchant St Thomas PTA – $20,000.00 for playground improvements
• Partners for Care / Common Roots Urban Farm – $4,600 for signage, shade and garden upgrades
• Inglis Street Elementary School PTA – $10,000.00 for playground improvements
• Halifax Brewery Market – $18,000 for play equipment and furniture
• Halifax Cycling Coalition $16,450 – for eco counters and adaptive bicycles
• Halifax Central Junior High – $20,000 for new basketball backboards and armatures

Partial funding was provided to Halifax Minor Baseball for $5000 towards a batting cage at Conrose Park. The Inglis Street funding will be matched from other available funding already set aside for improvements in Gorsebrook Park for a total commitment of $20,000.

“As always we heard from residents about how difficult it can be to choose just five projects. Every project was worthy” Mason said “but in the end residents make their decisions.”

Proposals will now be vetted by HRM staff and pending policy and due diligence by staff organizations should receive their funding in six to eight weeks.

For more information on Participatory budgeting, visit http://halifaxsouth.ca/pb