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Media Releases 2005
SPORT COMMUNITY IN B.C. UNITED IN SUPPORT OF NEW FEDERAL INVESTMENTS
Vancouver, B.C. (February 23, 2005): 2010 LegaciesNow and the B.C. sport and recreation community are pleased with the federal government’s announcement of $20 million in new funding for sport in Canada, which includes an additional annual investment of $15 million for "Own the Podium – 2010".
"These new investments will definitely help to reinforce our Playground to Podium strategy in British Columbia," said Marion Lay, president and CEO of 2010 LegaciesNow. "With strategic and targeted investments in our athletes and coaches over the coming years, we are working hard to ensure that British Columbia and Canada shine atop the podium in 2010."
The 2005 federal budget released today announced that base budget for sport in Canada is now $140 million per year and an additional $20 million for the Paralympic Games was also announced.
"New federal funding for sport is a welcome next step for achieving both podium performance and increasing the number of opportunities for Canadians to be physically active through organized sport," said Sandra Stevenson, president and CEO, Sport BC. "Our collective vision for sport in Canada depends on increasing support from all sectors. It is great to see government modeling the way. Keep it up!"
"This additional funding will help us continue providing programs and services to give every advantage to our high performance athletes and coaches," said Roger Skillings, president and CEO of PacificSport Victoria. "When the difference between a gold medal performance and not reaching the podium is measured in milliseconds, this type of funding can help to bridge that gap."
The budget also includes $300 million over five years for an integrated Strategy on Healthy Living and Chronic Disease. The Strategy will include a series of activities to promote healthy eating and encourage physical activity and healthy weight.
"The investment in sport announced by the federal government will not only assist our high performance athletes but also British Columbians’ participation in community sport and physical activity," said Suzanne Strutt, executive director of the British Columbia Recreation and Parks Association. "The province has set the target of increasing physical activity levels by 20 percent by 2010 and this funding will go a long way in assisting us reach that goal."
2010 LegaciesNow is a not-for-profit society that works in partnership with community organizations, non-government organizations (NGOs), the private sector and all levels of government to develop sustainable legacies in sport & recreation, arts, literacy, and volunteerism. 2010 LegaciesNow actively assists communities discover and create unique and inclusive social and economic opportunities leading up to, during and beyond the 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games. For more information visit www.2010LegaciesNow.com.
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Media Contact:
Daniel Fontaine
Director of Communications
2010 LegaciesNow
604-659-1379
Joanna Fox
Manager, Communications
PacificSport
250-595-1955
Sandra Stevenson
President and CEO
Sport BC
604-737-3094
Suzanne Strutt
Executive Director
BCRPA
604-629-0965
