City of Cold Lake approves $10,000 grant for 4 Wing’s ‘Fallen Heroes’ film and ‘Mission Afghanistan’ exhibit

By Chantel Downes, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, Lakeland This Week

During the Oct. 14 regular council meeting, councillors discussed the funding request made by 4 Wing representatives Captain Tom Garbe and Major Karl Braschuck, who appeared before council on Sept 23. 

The project, set to take place in January 2026 at Cold Lake High School and the Energy Centre, aims to commemorate the service and sacrifice of Canadian Armed Forces members who served in Afghanistan, according to information from the City of Cold Lake. 

CAO Kevin Nagoya explained that although the request resembles a community grant, it involves extra steps. He noted the amount “rounding it to $10,000” and clarified it’s a direct federal-to-city sponsorship rather than a typical CACH grant. 

He also highlighted the administrative steps needed before funding could be released. “It too will have to go through the Provincial Priorities Act for funding if council is going to consider the request,” Nagoya said. 

Mayor Craig Copeland added that he has already reached out to local companies to explore sponsorship opportunities to help offset the cost. “I have fanned out the document to a couple of companies to see if they’re interested in getting involved in sponsoring,” he said. 

Council accepted 4 Wing Cold Lake’s delegation presentation as information and voted to authorize a $10,000 grant to His Majesty the King in Right of Canada, as represented by the Department of National Defence (4 Wing Cold Lake) Commander in his non-public property capacity. 

The funding will come from Council Goodwill.