May 17, 2011
Provincial Funding For Tri-Cities Sports and Culture Groups

VICTORIA – Six organizations in the Tri-Cities will share $171,100 in the latest round of gaming grants released today by the provincial government. They are:

• Simon Fraser Pipe Band Society  – $55,000
• Judo BC – $45,000
• Port Moody Heritage Society – $28,000
• Coquitlam Lions Water Polo Association – $23,100
• Port Moody Golden Spike Days Society – $10,000
• Triumph Street Pipe Band Society - $10,000

Quotes:

“A good number of these organizations help people to get active and stay healthy. Funding such groups is money well spent."
                                                            Port Moody-Coquitlam MLA Iain Black

“The first gaming grants of the fiscal year see groups as diverse as Judo BC, the SFU Pipe Band Society and the Port Moody Spike Days Society getting funding. This shows our government's recognition of the important role such organizations play in the Tri-Cities."
                                                            Coquitlam-Burke Mountain MLA Douglas Horne

Why this matters:

• Across British Columbia, 146 recipients will share $3,161,195 in this latest round of grants from provincial gaming revenue. 
• The grants are the first from provincial gaming revenue announced for the new fiscal year, which began on April 1, 2011. This round of grants will help important local groups provide services for British Columbia families.
• Beneficiaries cover a broad range of community interests, including sports; arts and culture; festivals; and parent advisory and district parent advisory councils. 

Quick facts:

• In 2010/11, government distributed a total of $135 million in gaming grants for eligible community programs and services.  The original budget called for $120 million, but in April 2011 Premier Christy Clark boosted funding by an extra $15 million.
• About 6,000 community groups across B.C. benefited from these funds.

For more information:

Visit Iain's website at www.iainblackmla.bc.ca
Visit Doug's website at www.douglashornemla.bc.ca

Full application info for B.C. provincial government gaming grants is available online at: www.pssg.gov.bc.ca/gaming grants/index.htm 

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