Yellowknife (Feb 04/04) - City Hall has some tough decisions to make over the next few days.

So many organizations appeared for city council's lunchtime special grant presentations Monday afternoon that they had to move upstairs from the committee room to council chambers.

Annemieke Mulders, on behalf of Paddlers for Parts, asked for $2,000 to promote organ donation. - Mike W. Bryant/NNSL photo

In all, 24 groups in Yellowknife are seeking their share of the $100,000 of special grants funding available. Their total requests amount to a sum of $267,291.

"Some of you might not be as happy as others," warned Mayor Gord Van Tighem.

The grant requests ranged from $400 for the Yellowknife Playschool Association to $36,565 for the Aurora Arts Society.

The arts society says it needs the money to help pay for marketing and advertising costs for the upcoming Cabin Music Festival. They also want to launch a proposed feasibility study for an artist-run community centre.

"The goal is to find out what the best thing is for Yellowknife in terms of a centre for artists," said Jan Fullerton, society president.

The NWT Council of Persons with Disabilities also made a sizable request. They want $20,000 to provide support for children with disabilities attending city-run summer day camp programs. They received $16,000 last year.

"We're hoping when the summer finally comes we'll have three assistants and one supervisor," said executive director Cecily Hewitt.

It's necessary that each child has a one-on-one assistant while going to day camp, she said. There are between 24-28 children that could use assistance.

Anthony Foliot, a.k.a the "Snow King," was hoping the city has $10,000 to spare for his 9th annual winter festival.

He has a dedicated group of volunteers, but would like to offer them honorariums this year. He also noted that his wife would be happier having some assurances that he could pay off his credit card bill.

"It's very important that you can pay off all your bills and keep everybody happy," said Councillor Dave McCann.

"Yes, the queen," responded Foliot.

Council will have their decisions on who gets what at the next council meeting.