Relief funding available for community-based sports groups

Sep 19, 2020 | 10:13 AM

VICTORIA — The Province’s Local Sport Relief Fund is providing $1.5 million for community-based sports groups facing a risk of closing due to extreme financial pressure from the COVID-19 pandemic.

The fund will help pay bills, society dues, salaries and/or maintenance fees while weathering the impacts of the pandemic, en route to an eventual full return to sport.

“COVID-19 has had a significant financial impact on local non-profit sport organizations, resulting in a great number being at risk of disappearing,” said Charlene Krepiakevich, CEO, viaSport. “As sport begins to safely return to communities, this funding will help maintain the viability of these organizations and retain the opportunities they have worked so hard to create for British Columbians.”

Rural and remote communities, as well as under-represented populations, such as Indigenous peoples, girls and women, low-income individuals, persons with disabilities and newcomers, are disproportionally impacted by a reduction in physical activity opportunities as a result of COVID-19. This funding program seeks to ensure these opportunities remain in place by providing support to local sports organizations in rural, remote and urban communities throughout B.C.

“For many athletes and families, local sport organizations provide the important physical, mental and social benefits sports offer, which we need more than ever,” said Lisa Beare, Minister of Tourism, Arts and Culture, in a release. “This funding will help local organizations so they can continue to support children, families and our communities with healthy activities.”

Applications are open until October 16.

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