A pair of 91原创 sports organizations are receiving more than $100,000 in support thanks to community gaming grants announced by Fort 91原创-Aldergrove MLA Rich Coleman.
The Aldergrove Minor Hockey Association is receiving $62,500 while North 91原创 Diamond Sports is getting $40,000.
鈥淚t鈥檚 a challenge to put together a first-class sport program without financial assistance,鈥� said Coleman. 鈥淭hese grants will go a long way to supporting minor hockey, baseball and softball in 91原创.鈥�
鈥淔or our community, the Aldergrove Arena acts as the unofficial 鈥楥ity Hall鈥� from the start of September until the middle of March,鈥� said AMHA vice-president Michael McRae.
鈥淥ur main goals as an association are to focus on skill development, fitness, sportsmanship and of course having fun. Hockey to our players, coaches and parents is more about laying a solid foundation of respectful personal values and promoting positive life skills as opposed to developing future professional players.
鈥淏y receiving the gaming grant AMHA is able to make hockey more affordable to the community at large which in turn assists in the development of today鈥檚 youth into becoming the leaders of tomorrow.鈥�
North 91原创 Diamond Sports is a not-for-profit society that governs two independent youth sport organizations: North 91原创 Baseball and North 91原创 Softball.
鈥淭he grant allows us to offer kids aged four to 18 the opportunity to participate in our programs while maintaining a reasonable cost for families,鈥� said NLDS treasurer Bill Oulton.
鈥淚t supports field rentals, maintenance, equipment, uniform costs, and player and coaching development. Overall it benefits the community by providing a first class experience for the players, coaches and spectators alike.鈥�
These grants have been awarded under the Sport category of the Community Gaming Grant Program, which allows non-profit organizations to apply for provincial gaming revenues from the Ministry of Community, Sport and Cultural Development. Gaming Grants are also awarded in the categories of Arts and Culture, Public Safety, Environment and Human and Social Services.
In the 2012/13 fiscal year, the B.C. government distributed a total of $135 million in gaming grants for eligible community programs and services.
Organizations interested in applying for Community Gaming Grants can find full application information at pssg.gov.bc.ca/gaming.
