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Local sporting events get provincial funds
Nearly 140 sport organizations throughout the province, including six in the East Kootenay, are benefiting from $1 million in support from the B.C. government to host sport-related events that attract visitors to B.C. and enable athletes to compete at home.
“Sport events of all sizes motivate athletes to grow and inspire others to play,” said Lana Popham, Minister of Tourism, Arts, Culture and Sport. “The World Wheelchair Curling Championships I attended today are a great example of how sport organizations continue to offer more opportunities for athletes to showcase their skills right here in B.C. These events also help create vibrant, active and connected communities, and they boost our reputation as a prime destination for sports.”
The province supports several events of local, provincial, national and international importance through two separate grant programs: the Major Events Program and Hosting BC.
Six local events are receiving or have received funds from the $500,000 Hosting BC fund, which supports not-for-profit organizations that host competitions and provide sport, economic and community development opportunities.
Hosting BC is administered by viaSport and is available to organizations wanting to host smaller-scale events, and it also supports opportunities to compete for under-represented groups and under-served communities.
This year, 131 organizations received funding through this program, including:
- Curling or Wheelchair Curling (Provincial Championship) in Cranbrook January 23-28, 2024 – $4,500
- Wasa Lake Triathlon (Provincial Championship) June 10-11 – $4,500.
- Gymnastics (artistic) Invitational Event in Fernie May 27-28 – $750.
- Alpine Skiing or Para Alpine National Championship in Kimberley March 11-18 – $5,000.
- Alpine Skiing or Para Alpine International event including Nor Am in Kimberley March 17-23 – $7,500.
• Cross Country Skiing (Western Canadian) in Kimberley February 2-5 – $7,500.
“At viaSport British Columbia, we work with the provincial sport sector to create more equitable, welcoming and inclusive opportunities for sport participation in B.C.,” said Charlene Krepiakevich, CEO, viaSport British Columbia.
“Hosting BC grants are intended to strengthen sport in local communities. It ensures athletes have an opportunity to compete close to home, develops local volunteer capacity and delivers economic benefit back to the host community. Most importantly at this time, Hosting BC grants help event organizers, still recovering from the COVID-19 pandemic, to host safe and successful events that rebuild community confidence and connectedness.”
The next Hosting BC intake is expected to open in May 2023. Interested parties are encouraged to visit viaSport’s website to apply.
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