In response to John Clarke’s letter to the editor April 20, I would like to clarify a couple items in reference to the Funtastic Sports Society.
While Mr Clarke states Funtastic, “wants a massive prairie of ball diamonds to one day surround the city,” this is simply not true. It is true, however, that the Funtastic Sports Society supported the regional district for a multi-sports facility at Aberdeen Road. The Funtastic Sports Society, along with many community sports and recreation organizations, supported this initiative.
What Mr. Clarke is missing in his letter is the term multi-sports facility. Funtastic supports a community effort and sports facility strategy. Not just ball diamonds, but facilities that cater to all sports groups. Mr. Clarke may or may not use these facilities, yet there are many young families considering a move to the region who would, and will decide, accordingly.
The fact is, as a community, we need sport facilities for a number of reasons. Currently, many parents are driving their children to Revelstoke, Kamloops and Kelowna to train at various facilities — take football and track for example. We also have children not able to join clubs because they are at capacity due to the popularity and the limited or lack of facilities.
The Funtastic Sports Society is a non-profit organization and community advocate for living a healthy lifestyle using sports and recreation.
During the past 26 years, Funtastic has been successful in raising more than $1.2 million to help fund the greater community’s recreation initiatives. These include new playgrounds, fields, outdoor lighting for tennis courts, defibrillators for hockey arenas and much more.
For the past three years, we have provided $75,000 in grants to local non-profit agencies to aid in their sport and recreation initiatives.
Groups that have benefitted include: the Vernon Kokanee Swim Club, Kindale Developmental Association, Junction Literacy/Youth Initiatives, Lavington Elementary School, Vernon Speed Skating Association, Vernon Tennis Association, Vernon Minor Football, Silver Star Adaptive Snow Sports, Okanagan Boys and Girls Clubs, North Okanagan Youth Soccer Association, Vernon Silhouettes Synchronized Swimmers, the Schubert Centre, and the list goes on.
Each year, visitors to the Funtastic event spend more than $4.5 million with local businesses. Funtastic is nationally recognized and a marquee event for our region, having received a national sports tourism award. In addition, Funtastic received the 2010 chamber of commerce award for community support. Yet, Funtastic is but one of many sports tourism activities in our region contributing more than $30 million in economic benefit. This money supports local business and employs residents.
Without these events, the business landscape in our region would look very different — as would the health and wellness of our citizens. Without sports and recreation facilities, sports tourism opportunities are also limited.
Imagine a community where no children are playing soccer, baseball or football. Imagine a community where all the children are entertained by computers and electronic games. Imagine what the health care system would look like.
As much as no one wants to pay more in taxes, investing in sports and recreation facilities is an investment in our future.
Jim McEwan
Executive Director
Funtastic Sports Society
