Funding announced to address impacts of COVID-19 on amateur sport in B.C.

In response to the impacts of COVID-19 on British Columbia’s amateur sport sector, viaSport is pleased to announce that we will be administering two new sources of relief funding for sport organizations. 

Funding for accredited provincial sport organizations

As part of the $72-million COVID-19 Emergency Support Fund for Cultural, Heritage and Sport Organizations, Heritage Canada is delivering $3.4 million to address the impacts of the pandemic on amateur sport in B.C. This federal investment is intended to help B.C.’s provincial, disability and multi-sport organizations maintain infrastructure and sustain operations. viaSport has notified all funded organizations of the steps required to receive this support. 

Coming soon: applications for relief funding for local sport organizations

On July 28, 2020, the Province of B.C. announced that it is providing $1.5 million in short term relief funding to support the viability of local sport organizations during the pandemic. viaSport is currently working with the Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture to create an application grant to deliver this new funding allotment to organizations facing the most financial risk. Many clubs and leagues are in need of support to cover fixed costs due to the absence of registration fees, event revenues and sponsorships. This funding will allow these organizations to stay open and continue to offer safe, inclusive and meaningful sport opportunities to their communities. 

 When more details are available on the distribution, timing and application criteria, we will communicate with interested organizations by email. Click here to be added to the email list. To read the Province’s funding announcement, go here.