Two recreation facilities in the RM of Macdonald are set to receive a boost for special projects in the coming year. They recently chose Oak Bluff and Starbuck to receive funding for recreation projects, with Oak Bluff receiving $20,000, while Starbuck will see $45,000. Reeve Brad Erb notes the allocation of funds for the Starbuck arena will play a vital role in the upgrades required at the facility's ice plant. He notes the special projects funding isn't the only way the RM supports local recreation facilities.

"We have two different types of funding. We have special funding like that, as well as we have what we call base grant funding where we give each community $7,500 for recreation. The special projects one is based on the communities giving us a five year capital plan and invoicing for quotes for work they're contemplating doing."

He notes the allocation of the special projects funding is decided by the Macdonald Recreation Committee, which is made up of councillors and citizen members. Overall, Erb feels it's vital the RM show their support for recreation projects, citing the great work of their communities' volunteers.

"We view recreation as one of the things we ultimately have some responsibility for. We have great community support in the various communities and great volunteers, so this is just a little way to help out where we can. This money is important because it can often be used to leverage money for other programs or grants, and it makes a significant different to some of these projects."