August 12, 2010
Local Youth to Benefit from Funding Boost to Sports Programs

VANCOUVER  – A variety of local Vancouver sport organizations in the False Creek area are receiving nearly $210,000 in Community Gaming Grants for programs that engage youth in healthy and active lifestyles. 

“These organizations are great community leaders in steering our children and youth towards positive, healthy lifestyles that benefit all of society,” says Vancouver-False Creek MLA Mary McNeil. “We are directing gaming grants at helping youth to achieve their full potential and to focus on affirmative outcomes.”

McNeil arranged for her office to personally deliver the Community Gaming Grant cheques this week to the following organizations in the Vancouver-False Creek area:

• Achilles International Track and Field Society (Jerome Outreach Program): $29,400
• Night Hoops Basketball Society: $21,000
• Gordon Sturtridge League Football Association: $30,500
• Vancouver Rowing Club (Junior Rowing Program): $3,700
• B.C. Ringette Association:  $50,800
• Vancouver Aquatic Centre Divers Society (Introduction to Diving, Recreational and Competitive Program): $74,300

This round of provincial funding will support 457 groups receiving approximately $9.2 million in community gaming grants to support youth and disabled persons sports initiatives across B.C. 

In total, the Province has budgeted $120 million for gaming grants in 2010-2011, $7.4 million higher than last year. The grants will fund approximately 6,000 organizations that benefit communities, including those that assist public safety, youth and disabled sports, people in need, fairs, festivals, museums and community services such as preschools.

For more news, please visit Mary’s website at www.marymcneilmla.bc.ca 

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