The Greater Vernon 2022 BC Winter Games may be over but the celebration of community continues.
The local Games Society celebrated a successful event while recently announcing recipients of more than two dozen grants.
The 2022 Games were cancelled in 2022 due to the COVID-19 pandemic and the impact of wildfires and flooding. Instead, they were held in March 2023.
With the games completed last year, it was time to hand out some funding at an awards ceremony at Cambium Cider Co. in Vernon on April 17.
The society received an overwhelming response from groups in the area, with a total of 48 applications for funding, totalling nearly $1.5 million in requests.
The society selected 28 local organizations to receive funding, amounting to just over $200,000. The selection process involved thorough evaluations, considering the short and long-term impact of each project, as well as their potential contributions to community growth in terms of tourism, future development and the growth of the sport.
“We are truly impressed by the caliber of applications we received,” said Cindy Masters, society vice president. “Each proposal demonstrated a commitment to enhancing our community and contributing to the legacy of the 2022 Winter Games. We extend our heartfelt thanks to all the applicants for their dedication and passion.”
The funded projects cover a wide range of initiatives, including sports infrastructure enhancements, cultural events, school sport programs and community engagement programs. The investments aim to enrich the sporting experience in Greater Vernon while leaving a lasting legacy that benefits the area.
“The selected projects align closely with our mission to promote community participation and foster local development,” added Nicky Dunlop, president of the society. “We believe that the projects we are funding will not only enhance sport in our communities, but also support local organizations in expanding and furthering their great initiatives.
The largest grant went to BC Wheelchair Basketball for a total of $40,000. The funding will help the organization train individuals, activity leaders and community supporters while providing equipment to be able to launch a program in the community.
The next largest grants, totalling $28,000 each, went to the SilverStar Freestyle Club and the North Okanagan Cycling Society. The Freestyle Club will use the funds to create a world-class freestyle dryland training facility at SilverStar Mountain Resort with a large landing airbag. The Cycling Society’s grant will support the creation of a new recreational trail network adjacent to Vernon and Coldstream.
Here are the other funding recipients:
• Mission Hill Elementary: $5,000
• Lavington Elementary: $5,000
• Seaton and Kalamalka high schools: $10,000
• Cherryville Elementary: $3,775
• Silver Star Elementary: $5,000
• Indigenous Education Department, Seaton: $5,000 x 2
• Harwood Elementary: $15,715
• Awaken Inquiry and Adventure Okanagan, Fulton Secondary: $1,500
• Vernon Curling and Athletic Club: $5,200
• Greater Vernon Ringette Association: $3,735
• Vernon Judo: $11,680
• Vernon Ski Club: $10,000
• Vernon Tennis Association: $3,070
• North Okanagan Baseball Association: $2,000
• Lavington Recreation: $1,500
• Vernon Rowing and Dragon Boat Club: $7,200
• Vernon and Area Senior Slo-Pitch League: $2,500
• Lavington Pickleball: $1,500
• Vernon Lawn Bowling Club: $5,000
• Local Losers Underground: $3,000
• NexusBC Community Resource Centre: $2,000
• Funtastic Sports Society: $3,000
• SilverStar Bear Stewardship Group: $4,000
• CMHA Vernon: $2,625
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