Six sports associations are among the 12 local organizations which have received Community Gaming Grants from the Ministry of Community, Sport and Cultural Development, the BC Liberals announced Monday. The grants totalled $287,700.
Recipients included Comox Valley Minor Hockey ($100,000), Mt. Washington Ski Club ($21,000), Comox Valley Baseball Association ($25,000), Comox Valley Volleyball Club ($9,600), Comox Valley Lacrosse Association ($7,600) and North Island Field Lacrosse Association ($2,000).
“Community organizations such as these make the Comox Valley the wonderful place it is to live," said Comox Valley MLA Don McRae in a press release announcing the grants. "I’m pleased our government continues its support for the many deserving local organizations."
CVMHA president Angie Williams notes the maximum Community Gaming Grant is $100,000 and says this is the third year the local group has received the maximum. "As always we have used this money to continue to be one of Vancouver Island's least expensive associations where children can play hockey. By keeping registration low we hope to continue to be one of the largest associations, second only to Nanaimo."
Across British Columbia, more than 300 recipients will share over $7.3 million in the latest round of grants from provincial gaming revenue.
Community Gaming Grants help local groups provide important services for British Columbia families. Grant recipients in this round of funding offer programs in arts and culture, human and social services, environment and sport.
The grants allow non-profit organizations to apply for provincial gaming revenues to support direct delivery of a program that benefits the broader community.
During the 2011-12 fiscal year, government distributed a total of $135 million in gaming grants for eligible community programs and services. Approximately 5,300 community groups benefited from funding in 2011-12.