The Drumheller and District Seniors Foundation is beginning to feel the growing pains of the retiring baby boomers alongside rising expenses and static revenues, as their vice-chair says they’ll be requesting more money this year than in previous ones.
Zariski says the expenses have been rising continuously over the last few years, but revenues from rent must remain at affordable levels for senior tenants at retirement homes, such as the Sunshine and Hillview Lodges in Drumheller.
Known expenditures which will be incurred in 2011 are replacing the hot water tank at the Sunshine Lodge, independant consulting fees to obtain noise readings regarding Drumheller’s sound bylaw, union dues for the CUPE due in December, and major repairs and replacement costs for the aging Sunshine Lodge. Unknown expenditures have no reserve set aside for these expenses.
The foundation saw a deficiency of funds of $357,566 in 2009.
“That creates a predicament,” he says. “Costs go up, and funding just hasn’t been there.
“We’re looking at the provincial government for assistance and they’ve been cutting back. If they aren’t putting in the money, then I guess the town has to step up.”
As a short-term solution, Zariski says the foundation has been advised they must requisition $425,000-475,000 from participating municipalities this year, up from $250,000 in 2010. The DDSF will be finalizing how much they will requisition at next Thursday’s board meeting, and will present town council with the amount at the following week’s council meeting.
The Town of Drumheller provided 50.4 per cent of the requisitioned funds last year ($125,093), Starland County 47.6 per cent ($118,865), and Delia, Morrin, and Munson providing the remaining funds. The money is found through the mill rate.
“These are the people who built the community, built Alberta, built the country, and they need our support.”
About $25,000-50,000 of 2011’s requisition funds will go towards a comprehensive efficiency audit to see if any areas of operation at the homes can be made more efficient and cost effective.