Community : HealthWorks questions rec funding from county : Sidney Herald, Sidney, Montana

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HealthWorks questions rec funding from county

By Louisa Barber
Sidney Herald
Published on Tuesday, December 22, 2009 12:38 PM MST

HealthWorks board of directors were left a little confused after learning recently they wouldn’t be allocated the money they requested from the county through the Sidney Parks and Recreation Board.

Scott Doty, HealthWorks director, along with the board of directors and Sidney Health Center CEO Rick Haraldson, met with Richland County commissioners Monday to work out the confusion.

Earlier this year, the parks and rec board prioritized requests from 26 local recreational organizations who needed county money for various upgrades. The county has allotted $450,000 over three fiscal years – $150,000 per year. Two allotments have already been given. The third is set to be given at the beginning of the next fiscal year in July.

The HealthWorks board told commissioners they thought they would be given at least a portion of the $35,000 requested for equipment. HealthWorks was ranked 24th on the priority list.

Doty said within the last few weeks he was told their request had been rejected, though they’d received no letter informing them of the fact. He said he was still under the impression they fell within the allocated money to be distributed.

Commissioner Mark Rehbein said part of the problem with county money being given to HealthWorks is the group isn’t like the other youth sports groups that requested funding.

Doty said that because HealthWorks offers youth tumbling and strength and conditioning programs, the fitness that goes along with those programs helps the other organizations in the long run. The fitness center currently serves 100-200 youth each year – above average compared to other organizations in the county. “We’d definitely like to serve more,” Doty said. “The primary reason we wrote this specific funding request is so we can run a more effective youth strength and conditioning program.” Doty also noted the better fitness and confidence received by youth through training at HealthWorks could be of great benefit to all area youth sport programs.

Doty told the commissioners the parks and rec board has now asked for new letters to be submitted by organizations for the third $150,000 allotment, and the HealthWorks board is subsequently left wondering about the organizations left on the original list that haven’t been funded yet.

The commissioners said they would be in touch with the parks and rec board to acquire more information and to settle the confusion.

reporter@sidneyherald.com

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