Reinvestment fund under review
By Chris Simon

There will be several benefactors of Innisfil's Community Reinvestment Fund this year.

Town council is currently reviewing a list of at least three organizations and one individual who will be receiving a total of $19,800 from the fund. If approved as planned, COPE Service Dogs will receive $10,000, the 1st Alcona Scouts will get $5,300, and the Innisfil Minor Lacrosse Association will earn $3,500. Cookstown resident and the Ontario Ball Hockey Association's 2007 minor male player of the year Thomas Kokejl would also receive $1,000 from the annual fund.

"It's good for the committee and town to know this money's being reinvested into our community," said councillor Lynn Dollin.

The lacrosse association will use the money to support a new Junior C program for players between 17 and 21 years old. The money will also help Kokejl participate in the U20 World Ball Hockey Championships in St. John's, Newfoundland, while the scouts will purchase an outdoor storage container. COPE will use the funding to train additional instructors and support a program currently taking place at Nantyr Shores Secondary School.

In total, eight individuals or organizations applied for funding. However, some were disappointed to be left off the list.

"The kids need to know for sure that they're going to have the ice time, in order to get the league going," said organizer Ruth Weir, who estimates about 33 Innisfil students would benefit from the program. "We believe we qualify for three of the four exceptions to the rules."

The special needs hockey program was denied because a majority of its participants live outside of Innisfil. However, the organization meets most of the other criteria for funding, she said.

"The impact to the community is wonderful," said Rob Chapman, whose son started playing for Special Hockey International's Newmarket team four years ago. "His life changed since then, he's outgoing, he's got friends. He's already got a program, but we know kids will benefit from a similar program."

Council agreed to review the recommendations made by the town's reinvestment fund committee, and could decide to alter the proposed list in June.

"It just seems like a good fit for me," said Dollin. "I would ask that the committee respectfully reconsider the request."