February 9/06 10:01 am - Canada Games Award Grants to Six Ontario Communities

Posted by Editor on 02/9/06
 

Canada Games Award Grants to Six Ontario Communities
Courtesy SIRC

The Canada Games Council announced today that it is awarding grants to six Ontario communities to host Canada Games Days in 2006. Hamilton, Markham, Midland, Oakville, Sarnia-Lambton and Thunder Bay will receive grants of $5,000 each to support hosting Canada Games Day events.

A Canada Games Day is a community event that offers young people, 4 - 14 years of age, a sport and educational experience that will mirror the excitement and spirit of the Canada Games. For each event, the organizers follow an easy-to-use Canada Games Day resource kit. Children participate in unique sport activities, answer Canadian trivia questions and receive special awards. The Ontario Canada Games Days will be a rallying point for Ontario communities to engage residents, strengthen volunteer networks, increase youth physical activity and raise funds for community sport councils.

"Thanks to support from the Ontario Trillium Foundation, we can reach into communities to inspire dreams and build champions within Ontario's youth," says Sue Hylland, President and CEO, Canada Games Council. "Leaving a lasting legacy of healthy communities and strengthened volunteerism allows the Canada Games to become part of Ontario communities for the future."

Building on the success of the Games, the Canada Games Council has broadened its focus from Games only, to Games and between Games initiatives. This new focus on resources, programs, activities, tools and events for Canada's youth between the Games, 52 weeks a year, is called Dreams and Champions. Canada Games Dreams and Champions initiatives are meant to inspire Canada's youth to participate in sport and physical activity by providing the programs, tools and support to build next generation champions who reach and succeed at higher levels.

"Finding ways to help our population stay healthy and active is critical", says Cathy Watt, Chair of the Oakville Sports Council. "A Canada Games Day is a wonderful opportunity that will allow families and individuals to explore different options and interests, try something new, meet local sport champions and learn about the physical and social benefits of being lifelong participants of physical activity".

For more information and to request a Canada Games Day resource kit please visit www.canadagames.ca or contact the Ontario Canada Games Day Project Manager, Paul Jurbala at paul@communityactive.ca.