Province approves $1.5M in funding for sports organizations in the BC Interior

The COVID-19 pandemic has put a lot of financial pressure on local sports clubs throughout British Columbia.

Without the ability to offer programming and fundraise to cover expenses, many clubs are at risk of closure, which would leave some communities without local access to sport.

With this in mind, the Province of BC has approved the Local Sport Relief Fund, which will support 288 organizations throughout BC.

Fifty of those community sport organizations are in the BC Interior and will be splitting $1.5-million in relief funding.

"Coaches, volunteers and board members have worked around the clock to ensure people can keep active and gain the physical and mental benefits of sport during the pandemic," said Melanie Mark, minister of sport.

"We heard their challenges to meet financial pressures with current health orders in place and are proud to provide this additional support so our communities can continue to offer sport in a safe way."

The Local Sport Relief Fund will cover administration and operational costs for these organizations that are dealing with the difficult impacts of the pandemic.

Eligible expenses include insurance, administrative costs, rent, storage costs, essential equipment and even COVID-related supplies.

"The pandemic has led to some significant financial challenges," said Theresa Cooper, executive director of the Okanagan Gymnastics Centre.

"With this funding grant from the Province of BC, we will be able to weather the storm and ensure that we can continue to offer safe programming, both now and into the future."

Given the significant number of applications received for the initial Local Sport Relief Fund, the ministry is looking into other opportunities to support the sport sector.