May 16/06 11:35 am - Track 2000 BMX Milton Receives Trillium Grant

Posted by Editoress on 05/16/06
 

Track 2000 BMX Milton Receives Trillium Grant

Track 2000 BMX Milton Inc. is pleased to announce that they have been awarded a $61,000 grant from the Ontario Trillium Foundation. Over $40,000 of this funding will go towards upgrading the track by paving the berms and interior fencing. This will allow the facility to meet the high national standards required in Canada. $15,000 of the grant will allow Track 2000 BMX to purchase high quality bikes and rental helmets to be used for a low cost rental program. The remainder will be to start a coaching program and for track promotions.

The Ontario Trillium Foundation, an agency of the Ontario Ministry of Culture receives annually $100 million of government funding generated through Ontario's charity casino initiative. The Foundation allocates grants to eligible charitable and non-for-profit organizations in the arts and culture, environment, human and social services, and sports and recreation sectors. For more information, please visit www.trilliumfoundation.org.

Kelly Hoey, Track 2000 Promotions Director reports that, "the biggest bang for the community will be the low cost bike and helmet rental program. Thanks to this funding, for only $10 you will be able to bring your child out to the track, rent a bike and a full-face helmet and they will be able to ride for 3 hours. All children do need to pay an annual OCA membership fee (under $30). When kids get a chance to race BMX, not only do they catch air but also they energize their self-confidence. Racing a BMX bike around the 330-meter track requires high adrenaline so the sport is guaranteed to challenge any kid's physical stamina. It is interesting to note that BMX bike racing is an individual sport where nobody ever sits on the bench."

Track 2000 is excited to announce the launch of the "Mud, Sweat and Cheers BMX Program" that will bring over 60 kids from the Milton Children's Aid Society out to the facility for five evenings of BMX racing. With support from the Ontario Trillium Foundation the children will be coached, have free practice time and finish the night with some fast paced races. The "Mud, Sweat, and Cheers" program has also been supported by Norco Performance Bikes and Felt Bikes/Spaso Sports Inc. In August Felt Bikes/Spaso Sports Inc. will award two of the children with a complete Felt BMX race bike. The Felt Bikes award is to recognize persistence and outstanding effort.

Bruno Warnotte, President of Spaso Sports Inc.: "It is the goal of Felt Bikes/Spaso Sports to promote cycling to all youth. We believe youth benefit from asserting themselves through physical activities. Supporting youth cycling is our way of nurturing the values of self-respect, integrity and mutual support in our Canadian society. We recognize some children may have more opportunity to become involved, thus, we are convinced that it is part of our social responsibilities as a company to take the extra step to make sure we support programs, which will bring cycling to under-privileged children. We are proud to be working with Track 2000 in supporting the Mud Sweat and Cheers program."

Tina Blatchford, Executive Director Children's Aid Foundation of Halton "We were thrilled when the Track 2000 BMX Club approached us to be part of this exciting project. With over 250 children and youth living in foster care and group homes throughout Halton and hundreds more living with their families but in need of support from the Halton Children's Aid Society we welcome the invitation to participate in programs like this. Children involved with the Halton Children's Aid Society are coping with very serious issues; they may have experienced various forms of abuse, loss of family, mental health issues, significant trauma, neglect or abandonment. In dealing with the consequences of these events children often take on very adult roles and can miss out on fun activities and opportunities to make friends and build long-lasting relationships. Track 2000 BMX is giving these children, from our very own community, the chance to play, to learn a new sport and to form a much-needed bond with their peers. We are very grateful for this opportunity to join "Mud, Sweat & Cheers" and wish Track 2000 BMX every success in their new venture".

Nicky Pearson at the Ontario Cycling Association. "The OCA is proud to be a partner in the new "Mud, Sweat and Cheers," Program that Track 2000 is offering the Milton community. Track 2000 is becoming the leader in Canada for community programming as they also started the Riders Ready Program for Special Needs athletes five years ago, and it is still going strong. Track 2000 was also the host track and a partner for the 2005 'Set 'Em Up' BMX bike and bus program that bought over 100 inner city youth from Toronto to the track for 3 days."

Kelly Hoey from Track 2000 would like to tell all new riders that "On May 27th from 12 to 4pm there is an Open House at Track 2000. On this special day you can try the thrill of BMX riding for free! On May 28th 11pm to 4pm is the first official race day of the season at the track. Track 2000 is located in Drumquin Park on Britannia Road near Trafalgar."

For further information contact:

Nicky Pearson, Ontario Cycling Association, bmx@ontariocycling.org