Get the Top, Local stories delivered to your inbox! Click here to join the daily Vernon Matters newsletter.
The Vernon Public Art Gallery is among groups receiving community gaming grant funding from the province (Photo credit: VPAG)
By Liam Verster
Gaming grant

Grants support arts, culture and sports groups in Vernon and Lumby

Oct 27, 2021 | 1:27 PM

Nearly $730,000 in provincial grants are going to support the arts, culture and sports sectors in Vernon and Lumby.

The funding is going to 27 local not-for-profit organizations in the region.

The arts and culture stream will see money go to groups like choirs, arts councils, theatre companies, musicians, art galleries, and organizations that promote and celebrate diverse cultures. The sports funding will support local organizations involved in providing all kinds of sport opportunities for people of all ages.

The organizations receiving funding in Vernon-Monashee area include:

Arts & Culture

Arts Council of the North Okanagan $15,000

Caetani Cultural Centre Society $7,500

Okanagan Military Tattoo Society $25,000

Vernon O’Keefe Ranch and Interior Heritage Society $11,500

Vernon Powerhouse Theatrical Society $25,000

Vernon Sadok Ukrainian Dance Ensemble of Vernon $6,000

Vernon Concert Band Society $2,000

Vernon Public Art Gallery Society $71,000

Vernon Winter Carnival Society $35,000

Sports

British Columbia Freestyle Ski Association $26,000

Cross Country BC $75,500

Greater Vernon Minor Hockey Association $75,000

Greater Vernon Ringette Association $24,500

North Okanagan Sailing Association $16,700

North Okanagan Youth Soccer Association $65,000

North Valley Gymnastics Society $31,600

Okanagan Alpine Ski Association $4,000

The Biathlon Society of British Columbia $39,000

Vernon Baseball Association $21,000.00

Vernon Figure Skating Club $25,000

Vernon Kokanee Swim Club $28,500

Vernon Minor Fastball Association $4,800

Vernon Paddling Centre Society $17,720

Vernon Rowing and Dragon Boat Club $36,000

Vernon Ski Club $35,000
Housing Starts
Local housing construction declined in June, down for year so far
1h ago
Employee Safety
Employers responsible for worker safety as heat wave hits Okanagan: WorksSafeBC
17h ago
mid- to high 30s
Cooling centres opening in Vernon as heat wave hits the Okanagan
18h ago

“Local organizations are the heartbeat of our communities,” said Harwinder Sandhu, MLA for Vernon-Monashee.

“They help us to stay active and teach us more about the people and places around us and across the world. I want to thank them for their hard work and look forward to attending some of their events soon.”

The funding comes through the Community Gaming Grants Program, which is currently distributing $43-million to nearly 1,400 arts & culture and sports organizations throughout British Columbia.

by Liam Verster
View Comments

Other Matters

Housing Starts
Local housing construction declined in June, down for year so far
The housing construction sector saw another decline in June.Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC) reported 13 housing starts in Greater Vernon this June.That was down from the 19 housing starts in May, and from the 22 starts recorded in June of 2025.As of the end of June, there had been 88 housing projects sta...
1h ago
Read More
Unfinished business
Okanagan Sun begin title chase
The Okanagan Sun kick off the 2026 BCFC season this Saturday with a trip to Vancouver Island to take on the Nanaimo Raiders.The Sun are the two-time defending BCFC champions, and head coach Travis Miller says a big reason for that success is the experience returning to the lineup."We are returning a lot of veteran...
14h ago
Read More
new blaze
Wildfire in forest west of Highway 33
A wildfire west of Highway 33 and south of Myra-Bellevue Park Thursday afternoon has grown to about one hectare in size.BC Wildfire Service sent three helicopters and 16 firefighters to the Dale Creek area as part of an initial attack response. The red dot at the lower right corner shows the location of the wildfire. (...
15h ago
Read More
"I Voted"
Kelowna residents invited to design city's next election sticker
Kelowna residents are being asked to put their creativity to work ahead of this fall's municipal election by designing the city's next "I Voted" sticker.The City of Kelowna is inviting students, artists, designers and community members of all ages to submit original sticker designs that could be handed out at...
16h ago
Read More
Victim found in 80 metres of water
Drowning on Okanagan Lake
A tragic end to the search for a 45-year-old man presumed drowned on Okanagan Lake.The man went missing Saturday while being towed behind a boat on an inflatable tube.Police say he was not wearing a personal flotation device when he entered the water.The RCMP Underwater Recovery Team located and recovered his body Thur...
17h ago
Read More
Employee Safety
Employers responsible for worker safety as heat wave hits Okanagan: WorksSafeBC
With a heat wave coming to the Okanagan Valley, B.C.'s worker protection advocates remind employers that they must protect their workers.WorkSafeBC said employers must safeguard workers from the risks associated with heat and solar ultraviolet exposure."Elevated temperatures increase the risk of heat stress and he...
17h ago
Read More
mid- to high 30s
Cooling centres opening in Vernon as heat wave hits the Okanagan
The City of Vernon is urging people to be safe and stay cool as a heat wave makes its way into the Okanagan Valley.With temperatures set to reach the mid- to high 30s in the Okanagan Valley, the City of Vernon said it would be opening cooling centres at Kal Tire Place, the Vernon Museum and Archives, the library, and c...
18h ago
Read More
Firearm Charges, Vehicle Impounded
Weapon seized from impaired driver asleep in Lumby
A man faces potential charges after being found asleep behind the wheel with a weapon in the vehicle.At around 8 p.m. Wednesday, July 15, RCMP received reports of a man asleep behind the wheel of a vehicle in Lumby.Police attended the scene at the intersection of Birch Road and Mable Lake Road, and upon approaching, th...
19h ago
Read More
Severe Drought Conditions
Okanagan at Drought Level 4 for fifth week
Severe drought conditions persist through the Okanagan and surrounding regions.The B.C. River Forecast Centre ranked the Okanagan at Drought Level 4 for the fifth straight week Thursday, July 16.The ranking indicated severely dry conditions that were impacting stream flows and water temperatures, posing a risk to fish ...
19h ago
Read More

What Matters

Housing Starts
Local housing construction declined in June, down for year so far
1h ago
Employee Safety
Employers responsible for worker safety as heat wave hits Okanagan: WorksSafeBC
17h ago
mid- to high 30s
Cooling centres opening in Vernon as heat wave hits the Okanagan
18h ago
Firearm Charges, Vehicle Impounded
Weapon seized from impaired driver asleep in Lumby
19h ago
Severe Drought Conditions
Okanagan at Drought Level 4 for fifth week
19h ago