A pair of Langley sports organizations are receiving more than $100,000 in support thanks to community gaming grants announced by Fort Langley-Aldergrove MLA Rich Coleman.
The Aldergrove Minor Hockey Association is receiving $62,500 while North Langley Diamond Sports is getting $40,000.
“It’s a challenge to put together a first-class sport program without financial assistance,” said Coleman. “These grants will go a long way to supporting minor hockey, baseball and softball in Langley.”
“For our community, the Aldergrove Arena acts as the unofficial ‘City Hall’ from the start of September until the middle of March,” said AMHA vice-president Michael McRae.
“Our main goals as an association are to focus on skill development, fitness, sportsmanship and of course having fun. Hockey to our players, coaches and parents is more about laying a solid foundation of respectful personal values and promoting positive life skills as opposed to developing future professional players.
“By receiving the gaming grant AMHA is able to make hockey more affordable to the community at large which in turn assists in the development of today’s youth into becoming the leaders of tomorrow.”
North Langley Diamond Sports is a not-for-profit society that governs two independent youth sport organizations: North Langley Baseball and North Langley Softball.
“The grant allows us to offer kids aged four to 18 the opportunity to participate in our programs while maintaining a reasonable cost for families,” said NLDS treasurer Bill Oulton.
“It supports field rentals, maintenance, equipment, uniform costs, and player and coaching development. Overall it benefits the community by providing a first class experience for the players, coaches and spectators alike.”
These grants have been awarded under the Sport category of the Community Gaming Grant Program, which allows non-profit organizations to apply for provincial gaming revenues from the Ministry of Community, Sport and Cultural Development. Gaming Grants are also awarded in the categories of Arts and Culture, Public Safety, Environment and Human and Social Services.
In the 2012/13 fiscal year, the B.C. government distributed a total of $135 million in gaming grants for eligible community programs and services.
Organizations interested in applying for Community Gaming Grants can find full application information at pssg.gov.bc.ca/gaming/.