Eighteen organizations in Quesnel and the surrounding area that provide arts and culture and sporting opportunities received provincial Community Gaming Grants this year.
The provincial ministry of municipal affairs announced more than $45 million in Community Gaming Grants for arts, cultural and sports programs across the province in mid-December.
“While local soccer drills, arts programs and cultural celebrations may look different this year, I’m so pleased we can continue to support programs like these,” Municipal Affairs Minister Josie Osborne said in a news release. “We know how important it is for not-for-profit organizations to continue to plan for the future so when it is time for us to be together again, we can fully embrace sports, arts and cultural experiences as part of living in our vibrant and healthy communities.”
More than 700 not-for-profit arts organizations across B.C. are receiving approximately $18.1 million in Community Gaming Grants to deliver arts and cultural programs.
“We recognize that everyone is doing their best to keep our communities safe and flatten the curve. I appreciate how incredibly innovative organizations have been during these challenging times,” said Melanie Mark, minister of tourism, arts, culture and sport. “We are committed to distributing these funds to organizations in a timely manner to make sure people can continue enjoying performances online, visiting their local museums by appointment and taking part in the activities that bring them joy and support their well-being.”
The province is providing a $26,000 grant to the Island Mountain Arts Society in Wells.
This year, the Quesnel and District Community Arts Council is receiving $9,000, while the Quesnel Art Gallery Society is receiving a grant for $12,500.
The Quesnel Live Arts Society is receiving $6,000, and the Quesnel and District Heritage Association will get a grant of $3,500.
The Quesnel Old Time Fiddlers’ Association is receiving $3,500.
The Community Gaming Grants program is also providing more than $27.3 million for more than 800 not-for-profit sport organizations in B.C.
Twelve sports organizations in Quesnel are receiving grants this year.
The Cariboo Ski Touring Club is receiving $15,600, while the Lightning Creek Ski Club is receiving $15,000.
The North Cariboo Gymkhana Society is receiving a grant for $2,500.
The Quesnel and District Minor Hockey Association is receiving $63,500 in provincial funding, while the Quesnel Figure Skating Club is receiving $29,000, and the Quesnel Ringette Association is receiving $14,250.
The Quesnel Aquatic Club is receiving $11,000, while $19,000 is going to the Waveriders Swim Club.
The Quesnel Youth Soccer Association is receiving $53,000, and the Quesnel Girls Softball Association is receiving $7,500.
A grant for $24,200 is going to the Quesnel Technics Gymnastics Club, and the Quesnel Curling Club is receiving a grant for $12,500.
Community Gaming Grants provide about $140 million each year to support nearly 5,000 not-for-profit organizations that deliver services to people throughout British Columbia, according to the news release.
The program has made it a condition that all grant funding this year complies with the provincial health officer’s orders and provides flexibility for organizations to delay project and service delivery until they can do so safely.
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