Canadian Cyclist

 

March 20/00 2:59 am - Amateur Funding, Ontario News, Bastion Community Ride


Posted by Editor on 03/20/00
 

The Government of Canada Announces Additional Funding for Amateur Sport
(courtesy Curt harnett)

OTTAWA, March 20, 2000 - - The Honourable Sheila Copps, Minister of Canadian Heritage, today announced that the Government of Canada is increasing its support to amateur sport. "Since the Government's response to the Mills Committee we have made enormous progress. In this Olympic and Paralympic year, it is time to clearly demonstrate our support to amateur athletes."

The Honourable Denis Coderre, Secretary of State (Amateur Sport), indicated that the new funding would total $7.5 million per year to amateur sport. This new funding will be allocated to the Athlete Assistance Program and the National Sports Centres (NSC). Mr. Coderre also announced additional funding to the Canadian Centre for Ethics in Sport for the next two years.

"Athletes are a real source of inspiration for all of us, with their courage, dedication and their remarkable performances," said Mr. Coderre. "That is why I am happy to announce this extra funding which reaffirms the Government of Canada's commitment to our Canadian athletes and to amateur sport."

Mr. Coderre also announced the Government's plan to find a new approach to sport in Canada. "With today's decision, and others to come during the year, it is an excellent time to invite people, organizations and different levels of governments in Canada to consult each other during these twelve months on the creation of a real national policy on sport."

The funding increase will be allocated as follow :

- $5.4 million will go annually to 1,300 carded athletes within the Athlete Assistance Program.

- $1.5 million a year will be allocated to the NSCs. This funding will allow the NSCs to increase their ability to provide services to athletes and to upcoming athletes. The partners of the NSCs will discuss the ways to allocate this extra funding.

- In addition, $600,000 a year over for the next two years will be added to the existing budget of the Canadian Centre for Ethics in Sport (CCES). These funds will allow the CCES and the National Institute of Scientific Research (INRS-Santé) of Montréal to showcase Canada's leadership in the international fight against doping in sport and to improve the quality of domestic anti-doping programs.


Hilton Falls All-Weather Challenge MTB Time Trial - Ontario

Sunday, April 2nd - This mountain bike time trial takes place on the rough and technical trails of Hilton Falls Conservation Area just west of Milton (just north of Kelso). Expect fast fire roads mixed with rocks, roots and some really nasty technical sections. The planned distance is 15 km, but is somewhat weather dependent. It is hoped that a brand new section of technical trail will be ready for the race.It rides a lot longer than 15 km! It is a time trial format with races starting at 9:30am. For information and a registration form, please go to the W.O.W. web site at www.wowmtb.com and click on the "Races" button or call Hilton Falls at 905-854-0262.

This event is a fundraising activity for Hilton Falls Conservation Area. Proceeds will go to maintaining the existing trails and creating new trails. It is being run by volunteers (including W.O.W. Ltd. MTB Events, and many other individuals). Hilton Falls is a great place to ride and it is hoped that this event will be the first of many at this location.


Kelso and Hilton Falls Not Ready For Riding Yet!

With the return of mild weather many mountain bikers showed up at Kelso and Hilton Falls expecting to go for a ride this past weekend. If they were at Kelso they were surprised to find the parking lot full of skiers enjoying the last weekend of their season. It was a great ski season and a lot of snow was made on the hill. This means that the entire area at the top of the hill is far too wet for riding. It will be at least 2 weeks before things dry out enough at Kelso for trail riding. If this week is fairly dry, then Hilton Falls may open this weekend for mountain biking.

Riding at this time of year when the trails are wet can do a great deal of damage, more than at any other time of year. Please be patient. The season is almost here. Please call Hilton Falls at 905-854-0262 to check on trail conditions. A posting will be placed here at Canadian Cyclist when Kelso is open for the 2000 MTB season.


Olympic Cycling Showcase to Include Community Ride

March 16, 2000

VICTORIA - Cyclists of all ages and abilities can join Canadian Olympians on the road to the 2000 Sydney Olympics with a new feature of the Bastion Square Cycling Festival, the Mt. Tolmie Community Ride.

The 86 km ride, with a 47 km option, will follow the scenic roads of the Saanich Peninsula on Saturday, May 27, and will offer mechanical support and rest stops.

"We've added a community ride to the Bastion Square Cycling Festival as an invitation to people of all ages and abilities to join Canada‚s elite cyclists in their preparation and quest for the gold," says Lister Farrar, Chair of the Victoria International Bicycle Race Society. "Victoria is a mecca for cyclists so what better way to introduce people to the activity of cycling than with a community ride."

Farrar says that you don't have to bust your lungs to participate. "This event is set up to accommodate cyclists who want to cycle the distance at a leisurely pace, as well as elite riders who are using it as a training event for the national team qualifier," he said. "Similar events in Seattle, Portland, Vancouver and Montreal have a huge appeal to a wide cycling audience and we‚re anticipating it will be the same in Greater Victoria."

Also new this year is a Bastion Square Cycling Festival Clinic Series geared toward beginners to intermediates who want to prepare for the Mt. Tolmie Community Ride. The clinics are being offered through six local recreation centres - though most of the instruction will of course be "on the road."

"We've modelled these clinics after our tremendously successful Women on Wheels program - giving cyclists of all abilities the opportunity to develop their riding and safety skills and become more comfortable riding with others," said Farrar.

The Bastion Square Cycling Festival combines the Mt. Doug Hill Climb, May 26, Mt. Tolmie Road Race and Community Ride, May 27 and the 9th Annual Bastion Square Cycling Grand Prix, May 28. The festival is presented by the Victoria International Bicycle Race Society and the PacificSport National Cycling Centre.

For more information on the Bastion Square Cycling Festival, call (250) 360-BIKE. On-line registration will be available at www.canadiancyclist.com. For more information on the nine-week clinic series, call (250) 744-3584, ext. 71.

 

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