The B.C. Government is setting aside $1.5 million to help local sports organizations with fixed costs brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic.
Minister of Tourism, Arts and Culture, Lisa Beare says the money comes as many organizations are struggling because of a lack of registration fees, event revenues and sponsorship dollars.
“This $1.5 million is very much geared to our local sports organizations who may be struggling to keep their facilities open or may be struggling to keep their one executive director,” she said. “We want to make sure that those organizations are able to continue their return to sport and that they are able to support our amazing athletes.”
Beare adds the federal government is pitching in another $3.4 million through Heritage Canada which will benefit B.C.’s provincial, disability and multi-sport organizations. The money, she noted, will be distributed through viaSport to ensure it is spread across the province.
“So groups like your local swim clubs, your local gymnastics teams who aren’t available for any of the other supports that are currently out there between the federal and provincial organizations,” Beare added.
“These organizations haven’t had the same access to supports and to funding, and so that’s why this funding is very much earmarked towards them. These funds are going to be towards the operational costs of the organizations so that they are able to keep their doors open and they are able to support our wonderful youth.”
No timeline yet for return to competitive sports
Asked about a return to competitive sports, Lisa Beare says the BC Government continues to work on that plan as well, with no set date for a return to competitive sports.
She says 54 organizations – representing 500,000 British Columbians – have so far completed their return to play plans, 50 of which are for summer and fall sports.
“We are working closely with the Provincial Health Officer, Dr. Bonnie Henry, and with those recommendations we were able to flatten the curve and we were able to return to sports safely here in B.C.,” Beare said, noting there are more than 4,100 local sports organizations in the province.
“We are going to continue to follow the science and following Dr. Henry’s advice and viaSport will be working really closely with the provincial health officer to determine when that next phase will be.”
Beare says that while B.C. is in Phase 3 of its COVID recovery plan, local sports is still in Phase 2 of the return to play plan, adding that a return to competitive sports would require rules around large gatherings to be eased by Dr. Henry.
“So for now, Dr. Henry is clear that the 50 number is there, the social distancing is there. We’re remaining in Phase 2 for now. When it is safe to do so, when Dr. Henry makes those recommendations, and we’re able to have that conversation, we absolutely will move forward into another phase,” Beare said.
“For now, our focus is making sure that we have everyone back out and returning to sport in a safe manner.”
The Province previously extended legal protection to amateur sports organizations so they cannot be held liable for damages caused by exposure to COVID-19, provided they are complying with public health orders and provincial sport guidelines.
