The Athabasca Regional Multiplex Society (ARMS) is gearing up to raise $1 million for the Multiplex and new pool facility. The ARMS board discussed a rebranding and fundraising plan it intends to launch in the new year during its Dec. 18 meeting.
The Athabasca Regional Multiplex Society (ARMS) is gearing up to raise $1 million for the Multiplex and new pool facility.
The ARMS board discussed a rebranding and fundraising plan it intends to launch in the new year during its Dec. 18 meeting. Campaign chair Janene Kargus presented the board with a draft version of the fundraising plan, which was approved by the board as a guideline.
Kargus said the campaign aims to ensure Multiplex facilities remain accessible to the community.
“Whether we're the town or the county, we're here to ensure each and every member has an opportunity to access healthy living,” Kargus said. “With the sponsorships and the fundraising, that's to keep costs down for families.”
The campaign includes plans to brand the new pool facility, rebrand the Multiplex, seek sponsorships, do community fundraising and find grant opportunities. Kargus said the campaign will begin in February and would operate on a 16-month projected deadline.
Multiplex general manager Dustin Pysyk said the board would have to consider how much it wanted to raise in terms of grants versus community fundraising.
“It took a toll on this community when we fundraised for this facility,” Pysyk said, referring to the fundraiser for the Multiplex when it was first built. “Are we prepared to do that again?”
ARMS chair and Town of Athabasca Coun. Mike Arychuk said a 50-50 split between fundraising and grants would be appropriate.
ARMS director and Town of Athabasca Coun. David Pacholok said there might be new money in the community available for this campaign.
“The community is changing,” Pacholok said, adding that there are new people in the community willing to spend larger amounts of money on fundraisers. “You have to be aware that there might be more money out there, hopefully, than we think.”
Kargus said the next step is to do an open call out for community members to join a steering committee that would oversee the campaign.
The main driver of the campaign is community, Kargus added.
“Our healthy families give us healthy communities and healthy communities support healthy families,” Kargus said. “That's our backbone. That's what we're going to drive this campaign with.”
