Coquitlam is handing out more than $300,000 to non-profit and community groups for everything from measuring tapes to a great Scot event.
The biggest beneficiary of the city's Spirit of Coquitlam Grants this year is the United Scottish Cultural Society. It will receive $44,410 to put on the 2018 B.C. Highland Games and Scottish Festival in Coquitlam this weekend.
The smallest award, $141.43 goes to the Coquitlam Lawn Bowling Club to buy measuring tapes.
Council approved 13 applications from the 33 submitted by the organizations. They had requested a total of $663,000.
Other recipients of the $104,500 handed out for this year include Coquitlam Minor Hockey ($5,000 for goalie equipment), Coquitlam Minor Softball Association ($19,385 for field equipment and uniforms) and Douglas College ($7,300 for being hosts of the 2018 Canadian college women's soccer championship).
More than $196,000 will go toward 2019 projects and events, including $65,000 for the 2019 Highland Games and $111,540 for the Festival du Bois in Maillardville.
Another round of grants will take place in the fall. The grants are funded by casino hosting agreement proceeds. The city has awarded more than $8.58 million to 200-plus organizations since the program was created in 2002.
More information about the program is available at coquitlam.ca/spiritgrant.
