Province provides helping hand to sports organizations

Jul 28, 2020 | 1:59 PM

The B.C. government is providing $1.5 million to help local sports organizations facing financial challenges due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

The funding will help the groups pay their bills due to the loss of registration fees, event revenues and sponsorships.

B.C. has more than 4,100 local sports organizations.

“We want people of all ages, backgrounds and levels of ability to be able to gain the physical and mental benefits sport offers,” Minister of Tourism, Arts and Culture Lisa Beare said. “People in the sport community have felt the effects of COVID-19 profoundly. This funding will help local organizations pay their bills and keep our communities active.”

Funding will be distributed through viaSport to ensure support is provided across the sport sector.

Reality Check - Life Without a Home

Vernon couple sleep on street as part of homeless awareness initiative

May 02, 2026

Support for the unhoused

Sleeping outside for a cause: Vernon pair backs homeless outreach

May 01, 2026

Youth Mental Health Care

VJH Foundation commits $500K for Foundry North Okanagan

May 01, 2026

The province said without support for local organizations that allows them to stay established in their communities, people would have reduced access to sport. This access could take up to two years to rebuild. Rural and remote communities, as well as underrepresented populations — such as Indigenous peoples, girls and women, low-income individuals, persons with disabilities and newcomers — are disproportionately affected by a reduction in physical activity opportunities as a result of COVID-19.

“Many amateur sport clubs in B.C. are volunteer based and rely on membership fees, events, tournaments and competitions to fund sport activities in their communities,” said Charlene Krepiakevich, CEO, viaSport. “COVID-19 has especially impacted their ability to do that. This funding will help local clubs at the most financial risk to maintain operations until, and as, their communities and facilities can slowly reopen.”

Canadian Heritage is also investing $3.4 million in sports organizations in British Columbia. The funding is part of the $72-million COVID-19 Emergency Support Fund for Cultural, Heritage and Sport Organizations and will benefit B.C.’s provincial, disability and multi-sport organizations.

by Pete McIntyre

View Comments