Twelve Kelowna sports groups with financial difficulties will each receive up to $ 7,500 from the provincial government.
The grants are intended to help nonprofits cope with financial hardships caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.
“This funding will help them regain their financial foothold so they can continue to provide opportunities for physical activity, fun and teamwork for all,” said Harwinder Sandhu, Vernon-Monashee’s NDP MLA, in a government release.
Beneficial groups in Kelowna include the Curling Club, Minor Hockey, Lawn Bowling Club, Ski Club, United Football Club, College Basketball Society, Speed Skating Club, Okanagan Athletics, Gymnastics Center, Mainline Football Society and the Okanagan Mission Hall Society.
The West Kelowna Minor Baseball Association, the Vernon Figure Skating Club, the Vernon Rowing and Dragon Boat Club, and the Vernon Ski Club also benefit.
The money can be used for things like wages and benefits, daily administrative costs, insurance, exercise equipment, and cleaning costs related to COVID-19.
Across BC Interior, 50 community sports organizations will split $ 1.5 million from the Local Sport Relief Fund.
Due to the ongoing pandemic, many such groups have not had an opportunity to raise funds or offer programs that generate income, the government says. Many are at risk of being closed without assistance, the government says.
“The pandemic has created significant financial challenges,” says Theresa Cooper, executive director of the Okanagan Gymnastics Center. “With this provincial grant, we can weather the storm and ensure we can continue to offer safe programs now and in the future.”
