The provincial government is dishing out funding to support community-based competitive sport events, with a few thousand dollar getting spent here in the valley.
The Ministry of Community, Sport and Cultural Development has put $123,850 into 40 recently announced Hosting B.C. grants, with $7,500 of that going to help Invermere and Panorama Mountain Resort host the Audi Coup North American (NorAm) Cup alpine ski event.
The resort has already hosted this season’s NorAm race, from December 13th to 20th, so the money will go to help the event next ski season.
“Hosting BC grants help good things happen in British Columbia’s busy sport scene. High calibre competitions create great opportunities for B.C. athletes to develop and excel. Exciting sport events help communities shine as dynamic places to live and visit. Sport events generate important revenues that support local employment and encourage investment,” said provincial minister of Community, Sport and Cultural Development Coralee Oakes in a press release. “The government of British Columbia is proud to support these positive outcomes by funding Hosting B.C. grants.”
The latest 40 Hosting B.C. grants, including the money to help the valley put on the NorAm Cup, were announced on Saturday, January 10th. The grants will help host events in 24 other communities aside from Invermere, and the funding will be administered by provincial non-profit organization ViaSport, which has a mandate to promote sport and physical activity.
“As the hub of amateur sports in B.C., ViaSport is proud to play a role in helping our communities showcase their athletes, facilities and fans to national and international audiences,” said ViaSport vice president Bill Woodley in a press release.
The other Hosting B.C. funding is going to help host events in alpine skiing, ski jumping,
curling, hockey, figure skating, snowboarding, archery, baseball, fencing, racquetball, gymnastics, soccer, swimming, tennis, wrestling and wheelchair sports in communities such as Prince George, Kelowna, Surrey, Saanich and others.
Since 2004, Hosting B.C. has put $4.7 million into sport events held in communities throughout the
province, which according to the ministry helps build B.C.’s reputation as a major sport-hosting destination and generates revenues that helps support local businesses and jobs in B.C.’s local communities. Grants typically range from $1,000 to $15,000 depending on the level of competition.