Dozens of Abbotsford and Mission community groups are worried, and their budgets are in limbo after the provincial government’s recent freeze and review of gaming revenue grants.

Youth groups, arts and cultural organizations, schools’ parent advisory councils and sports associations are all potentially affected by pending changes to the distribution of gaming revenue.

Housing and Social Development Minister Rich Coleman announced Wednesday the freeze on $159 million in gaming grants was no longer in effect.

However, a comprehensive review of all discretionary grants has taken place so the government could determine core services and priorities.

Mike de Jong, MLA for Abbotsford-West, said he understands groups’ concerns but the economic climate dictates the circumstances and there are more groups applying than funds available.

“They have done great work and I am sympathetic to their concerns, but we are also charged with responsibly managing the people’s money and directing it as best we can to priority areas.”

Meanwhile, community organizations have had little, if any, information on the original freeze, or the outcome of the government review.

Despite Wednesday’s announcement, the Mission Folk Music Festival is $30,000 short after promised gaming revenue was iced.

“The government never said anything to us, never consulted with us. They allowed us to spend this money and when the festival is over they tell us there’s a freeze,” said MFMF artistic director Francis Edwards.

Even if the promised cheque is in the mail, the larger question about what will happen with future gaming revenue is unclear.

“The government is making decisions about this money without consultation and communication ... it’s money that belongs to community organizations,” said Edwards.

“They are still going to review the process, and my concern is we may still pay for it in the next round of applications.”

The MFMF had gaming revenue promised to them for a three-year cycle into 2010.

“We still don’t know if we’re getting the money. It really puts the 2010 festival under a cloud.”

Students and youth could also be hit by changes to gaming revenue grants.

District Parent Advisory Council (DPAC) Chair Rhonda Pauls said the majority of Abbotsford’s 47 schools and close to 20,000 students would be affected by any changes to gaming revenues for PACs.

“We try and ensure every school PAC gets [the money] because it’s critical to the kids,” said Pauls, who said she is unsure about how funding will unfold.

“I’m flying blind. I haven’t found anything to suggest we’re not getting the funding.”

The dollars PACs receive help pay for students’ extra curricular activities, graduation, sports programs, fine arts and events.

Elementary, middle and inner city schools would suffer most because gaming revenue is their main source of funding for such programs, she said.

Pauls is still hopeful the government, which has long supported students with gaming dollars, won’t issue cuts or further freezes.

Bev Olfert, executive director of Abbotsford Youth Commission (AYC), is in the midst of trying to plan her 2010 budget.

“We’re feeling very nervous ... if we don’t get that money, I’m trying to work out how long we’ll be open and the programs I’d have to cancel.”

The $63,000 in gaming revenue AYC has been promised for 2010 makes up about 18 per cent of its budget, funding the majority of its 10 programs. The youth group serves an average of 50 kids a day, and up to 5,000 youngsters annually between programs and events.

Deborah Lehmann, executive director of Abbotsford Hospice Society, said gaming revenue makes up 25 per cent of the group’s 2010 budget. Regardless, Lehmann is confident the government will find some solution to support health care and social service organizations.

Judy Whyte, executive director of Abbotsford Arts Council, said the organization is waiting on gaming revenue which equals 20 per cent of its 2009/2010 budget.

She said community groups aren’t being kept in the loop by government about plans in the works for their funding.

“It seems all the way along, we’ve been the last to hear anything.”