LAKELAND – On March 5, the Government of Alberta announced that it has committed to giving another $8 million to a program that helps make sports and recreational activities more accessible and affordable for Alberta youth. KidSport chapters in St. Paul and Bonnyville were happy to hear the news.
The money is provided to KidSport Alberta through the Every Kid Can Play Program (EKCP).
In the Lakeland, KidSport chapters exist in Bonnyville, Cold Lake, Lac La Biche and St. Paul.
Brad Ollen, chair for KidSport Bonnyville, says in 2023, KidSport Bonnyville funded 79 kids at a cost of $26,499, with $15,000 coming from the Every Kid Can Play program, and the rest from fundraising efforts.
“It's an amazing program. And we're so lucky that the provincial government has recognized the importance of getting kids into sport activities. We're just glad that we'll have the opportunity to have more kids into sporting programs,” said Ollen.
We do a handful of fundraising efforts throughout the course of the year too, and we’re really lucky the local community here in Bonnyville is supportive.”
If anybody is interested with volunteering with fundraising efforts, Ollen encourages them to reach out.
Darryl Poirier, chair for KidSport St. Paul, agrees. He says he is also pleased with the announcement.
“Every year, we are sort of expanding the [number of] children we can help.” He says the St. Paul chapter helps out youths not only from the St. Paul region, but surrounding areas like Two Hills, Saddle Lake, Goodfish Lake, Frog Lake, and Elk Point.
“We help in all sports, from basketball in high school, [to] football, hockey, soccer, baseball, [and] we [also] do dance,” says Poirier.
Poirier says KidSport can help with costs associated with getting kids involved in sports, like helping fund registration costs up to $350.
The Every Kid Can Play program, Poirier adds, is also very important, especially in rural communities due to limited fundraising abilities.
Any amount of dollars helps.
Poirier adds that over the years, some of “the kids who we’ve helped come back and thanked us.” And for many kids, playing “sports is an outlet.”
Background
Alberta families can apply to KidSport Alberta for up to $350 to help with registration fees. Provincial and community-level non-profits can also apply for a grant to help them reduce costs with either the delivery, expansion, “or enhancement of existing community-level programs,” according to information from the Government of Alberta.
“Sport and recreation opportunities should be affordable and accessible for all, especially young children and youth,” said Joseph Schow, Minister of Tourism and Sport, in the March 5 announcement.
Sports are an important aspect of growth, and teach “teamwork, builds confidence and promotes healthy lifestyles that can last well into adulthood,” he added.
Kelly Oehlerking, executive director of KidSport Alberta, said the funding will help ensure children, “regardless of their financial circumstances,” can enjoy playing sports.
“KidSport has been able to support more than 8,500 kids through Every Kid Can Play, and this financial support will create transformative opportunities for thousands of Albertan children,” said Oehlerking.
