Lloydminster city council has approved $86,454 in Saskatchewan Lotteries Community Grant funding for the 2026–27 cycle, supporting 15 local sport, culture, and recreation programs. The discussion took place, Monday during their Feb. 2, council meeting.
The funding is distributed through the Saskatchewan Lotteries Community Grant Program, which supports volunteer-run, non-profit organizations delivering community-based programming. Council also authorized the Community Services Advisory Committee to reallocate any unused or returned funds during the grant period.
City administration told council demand again exceeded available funding, with 18 applications requesting nearly $146,000.
How decisions were made
Councillors sitting on the advisory committee said this year’s deliberations placed stronger emphasis on community impact, quality of applications, and whether programs could still operate if partially funded.
Councillor Jason Whiting, said the group focused less on routine funding patterns and more on whether dollars would produce measurable results.
“I don’t see anything here that raises a red flag for the community,” Whiting said during the meeting. “What we’re really trying to do is make sure the dollars we do have create real impact and that programs can actually move forward with what they receive.”
Councillor Justin Vance also emphasized that grant applications were evaluated beyond just financial need.
“We looked at what these programs actually do for families, youth, and participation long-term,” Vance said. “Not just the cost, but the value.”
City administration confirmed each application was scored using an evaluation matrix that considers alignment with grant objectives, budget clarity, and expected community benefit. Scores were used to guide discussion, but final decisions were reached by consensus.
Full list of approved allocations
Council approved the following Saskatchewan Lotteries Community Grant allocations:
- Special Olympics Lloydminster – $10,000
- Catholic Social Services – $5,000 for Wintergration
- Lloydminster Youth Basketball Club – $2,210 for the 2026 spring-summer youth basketball program
- Lloydminster Public Library – $7,845 for Sensory and Play programming
- Big Brothers Big Sisters of Lloydminster – $5,000 for the Big Fun Coordinator position
- Lloydminster Theatre Society – $6,000 for Behind the Scenes: Increasing Opportunity and Capacity
- 186 Squadron Lloydminster Air Cadets – $4,000
- Libbie Young Centre – $5,000 for the summer recreation program
- Lloydminster and District Soccer Association – $4,899 for walking soccer
- SPARK Foundation of Lloydminster – $10,000 for the Community Youth Centre recreation support program
- Lloydminster Riptides Swim Club – $7,500 for competitive swim programming
- Midwest Family Connections – $5,000 for Indigenous recreation and cultural play enhancement
- Lloydminster Border Blades – $7,500 for skater growth and retention
- Lloydminster and Area Brain Injury Society – $500 for Brain Fit
- Spotlight Theatre Kids Association of Lloydminster – $6,000 for the Spotlight STAGE program
More than just numbers
Committee members said this year’s discussions also challenged applicants to strengthen how they present proposals.
Councillor Michele Charles Gustafson said the way applications are prepared can influence outcomes.
“When dollars are tight, how you present your program matters,” Gustafson said. “We really noticed the difference between applications that clearly explained their impact and those that simply repeated previous submissions.”
City administration added that organizations receiving funding must provide both financial and outcome reporting, including receipts and participation data, to remain eligible in future cycles.
Council approved the grant allocations unanimously.
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