St. Andrews Non-Profits Request Municipal Support for Growth

Two non-profit organizations based in St. Andrews are appealing to the municipal council for financial support through its grant program. The Charlotte County Archives (CCA) and Sunbury Shores presented their cases in early December 2023, highlighting their vital roles in the community and their need for funding to enhance their operations.

During the meeting, Anna Krentz, the CCA’s full-time archivist, emphasized the importance of digitizing the archives’ records, which include significant documents related to the town’s history. “As you know, we are located in the jail in St. Andrews, a place which can be an obstacle for those with mobility issues,” Krentz told the council. She explained that limited hours and staff resources hinder access to physical records, which must be treated with care to ensure preservation.

Krentz noted that digitization would provide easy access to archival materials, which is essential for community residents affected by historical decisions documented in the archives. “For these reasons, digitization and online access are priorities to government archives around the country,” she stated. The CCA is seeking $4,025 from the town, primarily to support the labor involved in bringing these documents online. “We would love to make digitization and online access to the Town of St. Andrews records a priority, but that is only possible with your help,” she added.

Council member Annette Harland inquired whether financial assistance for the archives was available in other areas of Charlotte County. Krentz acknowledged that while there is interest in expanding the archives, they must be cautious not to overextend their capabilities at this time.

In addition to the CCA, Sarah Brinkhurst, the executive director of Sunbury Shores, presented the organization’s multifaceted role. “We’re more than just an organization that asks for money and donations; we are actually a vibrant part of the economic community,” she said. Since its establishment in 1964 on Water Street, the gallery has adapted its facilities to cater to a diverse audience, including seniors and high school students.

Brinkhurst highlighted that the gallery receives approximately $17,000 from the provincial government, yet needs to generate an additional $60,000 annually to remain operational. “We’re busy doing that,” she remarked, acknowledging the challenges posed by the rapid expansion of programming which has resulted in limited space.

The organization has faced scheduling conflicts and has even had to turn down requests due to inadequate facilities. Brinkhurst expressed optimism about a potential solution involving the gallery’s back patio, where they plan to install a retractable roof. They have already secured $25,000 from another organization but still require $9,000 to complete the project. Consequently, they are requesting $5,000 from the town to help cover these costs. “We’re hoping the town will look favourably on the request,” she stated.

The council is expected to deliberate and make decisions regarding these grant requests in the upcoming new year. Both organizations are hopeful that their contributions to the community will be recognized and supported through municipal funding.