Lethbridge Herald, May 3, 2024.
Tourism and Sports Minister Joseph Shaw kicks a soccer ball with Lethbridge East MLA Nathan Neudorf and a group of young soccer players at the Servus Sports Center on Friday. Mr. Shaw and Mr. Neudorf led the charge in introducing new funding initiatives for sports and recreation facilities. Herald Photography: Delon ShurtzDeron Schultz – Lethbridge Herald – dshurtz@lethbridgeherald.com
At six feet tall, Tourism and Sports Minister Joseph Shaw stands out from the crowd. If you put him in a dark suit and flashy, brightly colored sneakers, he sticks out like a sore thumb.
But that may have been the talking point at a media gathering in Lethbridge on Friday. Shaw's sneakers made a statement — he was ready to kick a soccer ball, and he did — while his relatively sober suit had something important to say. It was written.
“I’m thrilled to be launching our new Active Communities Initiative today,” said Shaw. “Through Budget 2024, the Government of Alberta is investing $30 million to build or enhance sports and recreation facilities that inspire, connect and enrich the lives of all Albertans.”
Mr. Shaw, along with Lethbridge East MLA Nathan Neudorf and Minister of Affordability and Public Works, Chris Witkowski, Alberta Sports Leadership Association Director. Lethbridge Sports Council Executive Director Susan Eyman made the announcement at the Servus Sports Center, where, fittingly, a small group of soccer players kicked a ball around in the background.
“I know how important access to sport and sports recreation facilities is for growing children,” Mr Shaw said.
“It teaches teamwork, develops self-confidence, and promotes a healthy lifestyle that lasts into adulthood. But the benefits of being active don't just end in childhood. At every stage of life, Being active is proven to have a positive impact on physical, social and emotional well-being.”
Shaw pointed out that he grew up in rural Ontario and had to drive 30 minutes to recreational facilities to play basketball.
“How much better would I have been if something had been closer to home?”
Neudorf said the initiative is open to eligible community groups, non-profit organizations and societies, as well as First Nations and Métis settlements that want to build or enhance spaces that support sport and recreation in their communities. explained. This grant is for small to medium-sized projects including indoor and outdoor skating rinks, community pools, indoor turf centers, pickleball courts, and other sports and recreation facilities.
“These investments go beyond simply building and enhancing sports and recreation facilities,” Neudorf said.
“They are investments in our health, communities, economy and future. We look forward to seeing how this new initiative will accelerate activity and strengthen our communities in every corner of our state. I’m looking forward to it.”
This initiative is the first grant program to focus solely on funding sports and recreation infrastructure. From this month, eligible organizations will be able to submit expressions of interest before submitting a more detailed package during the second round of applications.
This initiative is a funding matching program with two streams for future projects. One fund project streams from a minimum of $100,000 to a maximum of $500,000, and two fund projects streams from a minimum of $500,001 to a maximum of $1.5 million. Large-scale sports and recreation infrastructure projects will continue to be funded through the Government's capital program.
“I was very happy to hear that the Government of Alberta was introducing the Active Communities Initiative,” Eyman said.
“Sports and recreation are essential to the health and well-being of all Albertans, and communities need dedicated spaces for these activities, and that’s exactly what this initiative will help achieve.”
Eyman said the Sports Council's vision is to create a Lethbridge where individuals and families can connect with others and feel part of a community, and where everyone has the opportunity to participate in organized sports. He said the aim is to make the sports community inclusive and accessible.
“The Active Communities Initiative is a much-needed step towards making sports and recreational activities available to everyone who wants to. This work will help build happier, healthier communities. Masu.”
Groups interested in learning more about the Active Communities Initiative, including guidelines, how to apply, and who to contact for other questions, can go online to https://www.alberta.ca/active-communities-initiative.
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