The Comox Valley Skating Club is now making learning to skate more affordable for Valley children, thanks to a $2,000 grant from the the BC non-profit organization viaSport,
The grant will fund CVSC’s “New Skater Incentive Program,” which will directly help offset the costs for new skaters registering in January PreSchool, PrePower and Canskate programs. These three foundational programs offer different options for beginner and intermediate children.
“We’re so pleased to be able to make skating more accessible,” says Kathy Sulman, CVSC vice-president. “The start-up costs are high for new families who don’t know if they want to commit yet. These funds will cover Skate Canada fees and possibly a reimbursement towards helmets.”
Skating is a great physical activity for kids, says Sulman.
“These programs help children develop ‘physical literacy’ which gives them the tools they need to take part in physical activity and sport, both for healthy life long enjoyment and for sporting success. And of course, they also provide the skills to move through into other ice sports like hockey, ringette and figure skating.”
The Comox Valley Skating Club is a volunteer-run organization that has been providing skating programs for all ages in the Valley for over 35 years. Over the years, thousands of kids have been through their programs, which cover everything from absolute basics to advanced figure skating. Fundraising is an essential part of the CVSC’s work and ensures that its programs remain affordable.
“We want to say a big thank you to viaSport,” says Sulman. “Our society is becoming more and more aware of how important sport and fitness is for kids. It’s wonderful that our skating programs are being supported.”
Formerly the BC Sport Agency, viaSport was established in 2011 with funding from the Province of British Columbia, through the Ministry of Community, Sport and Cultural Development. Its mandate is to continue the work developed by 2010 Legacies Now, a not for profit organization that leveraged the 2010 Winter Games to create sport, healthy living and other community legacies throughout BC. viaSport has a number of programs aimed at increasing participation and improving sport delivery across the province. The CVSC grant came from their Local Sport Development Fund.
For more information about the Comox Valley Skating Club or to register for its programs, contact Kathy Sulman, 250-339-9872, comoxvalleyskatingclub@gmail.com or go to www.comoxvalleyskatingclub.ca.
– Comox Valley Skating Club
