FILE PHOTO- B.C. Education Minister Peter Fassbender talks to reporters on April 24, 2014.

Image Credit: THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck

THOMPSON-OKANAGAN - The Government of British Columbia continues to support community development through sport - this time by providing more than $100,000 in grants to local organizations that are hosting events throughout the province.

Minister of Community, Sport and Cultural Development, Peter Fassbender, has announced the recipients of Hosting B.C.'s first intake of fiscal 2016-17. Grants totalling $124,500 will support 23 sporting events to be held in 17 B.C. communities.

The Province invests in sport-hosting opportunities to assist communities with sport, economic, social and community development.

Hosting B.C. grants provided by the Ministry of Community, Sport and Cultural Development, and administered by viaSport, support the operation of major international, provincial and club championships like the seventh Karatedo Gojukai World Championships in Richmond, the 2017 Western Canadian Para Alpine Championships in Kamloops and the National Aboriginal Hockey Championships in Penticton.

Since 2004, Hosting B.C. has invested $5.5 million in community-based sporting events, building B.C.'s reputation as a major sport-hosting destination. Event hosting stimulates economic activity and generates revenues that help support local businesses and jobs in B.C. communities.

The Government of British Columbia has invested more than $1 billion to support sport in B.C. since 2001, including approximately $50 million in 2015-16.

"Communities throughout British Columbia benefit from these grants, which help organizations host major tournaments and events across a multitude of sports. The grants ensure local economies can prosper, volunteers are engaged through the training they receive and B.C. athletes have an opportunity to develop and excel locally. It's this type of commitment that makes B.C. the destination of choice for sport hosting," Fassbender said.

"Our goal at viaSport is to help every community in British Columbia thrive through sport by bringing more families to the field of play and more fans into the stands. The Hosting BC grants provide communities with the opportunity to host events that we hope will inspire more British Columbians of all ages, capabilities and backgrounds to engage and participate in spor,." Sheila Bouman, CEO, viaSport said.

Quick Facts:

• Hosting B.C. funds competitive-level events that support long-term athlete development through B.C.'s Provincial Sport Organizations and Disability Sport Organizations.
• Grants typically range from $1,000 to $15,000, depending on the level of competition (e.g., provincial, regional, national, international).
• Applications for funding are reviewed by the Hosting B.C. Review Committee, which is made up of leaders in the sport and tourism sectors.

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