March 18, 2015
Manitobans to Celebrate the Year of Sport
– – –Funding Supports Increased Participation in Sport, Recreation: Ministers
The Manitoba government will help increase opportunities for Manitobans to engage in sport and recreation as part of the Year of Sport, Tourism, Culture, Heritage, Sport and Consumer Protection Minister Ron Lemieux and Children and Youth Opportunities Minister Melanie Wight announced today.
“As we prepare to host a number of amateur and professional sporting events in our province, I am thrilled to make this announcement,” Minister Lemieux said. “Manitoba will be home to no less than 11 major sporting events this year, including national and international competitions, proving once again this is where Canada’s Heart Beats.”
The Year of Sport is highlighted by events such as the RBC Cup in Portage la Prairie for Canada’s Junior A hockey championship, the 2015 Canadian Native Fastball Championships, 2015 FIFA World Women’s Soccer Championship and the 2015 Grey Cup in Winnipeg. In addition, there will be many other regional and national competitions taking place across the province throughout the year.
Today’s announcement reaffirms the Manitoba government’s commitment to community level sports and recreation. Along with funding for Phase II of the Sport for Life Centre, the Manitoba government will provide grants to community organizations to enhance the quality of their programming through the Sports and Recreation Opportunities Fund. The fund will be administered by Sport Manitoba.
“These grants and the funding for the Recreation Opportunities Fund will result in positive benefits for at-risk youth and families,” said Minister Wight. “I am particularly excited to see how these initiatives will help create healthy and active lifestyles for all.”
This year kicked off with a successful showing by Team Manitoba at the 2015 Canada Winter Games in Prince George, B.C. Team ‘Toba brought home 16 medals including six gold, three silver and seven bronze.
“The Year of Sport acts as a springboard as Manitoba prepares to host the Canada Summer Games in 2017,” said Jeff Hnatiuk, president and CEO, Sport Manitoba. “By devoting an entire year to recognizing sport and recreation in our province, we can only build interest and excitement in the 2017 games.”
Construction on Phase II of the Sport for Life Centre is scheduled to begin soon.
More information on the Year of Sport, including a list of events in Manitoba, can be found at www.yearofsportmb.ca/.
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