![Twin City Skate Club](https://regionriverina.com.au/wp-content/uploads/sites/9/2023/07/361891871_650480830466487_4434493771412412848_n-1200x900.jpg)
Twin City Skate Club is one of 63 successful applicants for Wagga Wagga City Council’s 2023/24 Annual Grants Program. Photo: Twin City Skate/Facebook.
Wagga Wagga City Council has endorsed the funding of more than $252,000 shared between 63 community-led programs during its ordinary council meeting on Monday night.
As part of its 2023/24 Annual Grants Program WWCC provided funding to applicants across 10 grant categories including Community Programs & Projects, Recreational & Community Facilities, Neighbourhood & Rural Villages, Rural Halls, Culture & Creative Industries, Arts, Local Heritage, Events, Environment, Youth Programs & Projects, and Small Business.
This year’s round of funding attracted 119 applicants, leading Wagga Wagga Mayor Dallas Tout to believe that the high number of applications left a majority of the categories oversubscribed.
“The economic challenges being experienced across the country mean it’s as important as ever for council to continue to provide support across the entire community,” Cr Tout said.
“Our funding priorities continued to focus on areas that have high levels of social and community disadvantage.”
Cr Tout said the program enables the council to support local non-profit community groups, individuals and small businesses with projects which directly benefit the Wagga community and enhance the city’s wellbeing.
Twin City Skate Club, which received $3500 to support sensory sessions for the next 12 months, is one of the 63 approved applicants to receive funding.
Twin City owner Kurt Wawszkowicz said the club applied for funding prior to the most recent school holidays but following the large number of children who attended classes, they would be using the funding to cater for more inclusive events.
“We offered free learn-to-skate classes for four- to twelve-year-olds over the holidays. We were expecting 120-140 kids from six classes, and we ended up having over 250 from 10.
“The funding will help us with the cost of hiring the facility and should allow us to continue offering classes as well as holding events like the roller disco for the next 12 months.”
Wagga Wagga City Council said the Annual Grants Program was part of the council’s commitment to developing a vibrant and diverse community in line with the goals of the Wagga View – Community Strategic Plan 2040.
“We are pleased to be able to provide this support to the 63 successful applicants, who will be delivering these diverse, inclusive and progressive programs and initiatives to the community,” Cr Tout said.
“We look forward to seeing these projects come to fruition over the next year.”
The 2023/24 Annual Grants Program recipients can be viewed here.