WHITEHORSE—The Government of Yukon today announced that it will provide $300,000 in core funding to Sport Yukon, Special Olympics Yukon, the Yukon Aboriginal Sport Circle and the Recreation and Parks Association of Yukon, subject to legislative approval. In addition, a permanent change to the way funding is delivered will have long-term benefits for other sport and recreation groups in Yukon.
“The Government of Yukon is proud to contribute to a better quality of life for Yukoners through our investments in sport, recreation and active-living initiatives,” Minister of Community Services Currie Dixon said. “We are pleased to provide funding stability for these four sport and recreation groups and we look forward to working together to keep Yukoners healthy and active.”
Previously, the four groups received funding through the Yukon Recreation Advisory Committee’s annual grants. The Government of Yukon will now fund the groups directly through Community Services’ Sport and Recreation branch. The change means that $300,000 in Yukon Recreation Advisory Committee (YRAC) funding will be available for other sport organizations and special recreation groups in the territory.
“This funding enables Sport Yukon to plan for and execute services and programs on a long-term basis, gives us security and allows us to focus on the priorities of our members. We would like to thank the Yukon government for recognizing the difference this will make to our organization,” Sport Yukon executive director Tracey Bilsky said. “The territory’s sport organizations do exceptional work and this new influx of YRAC funding will take some pressure off them and allow them to fulfill some of the initiatives they may have had on the back burner.”
Special Olympics Yukon president Tom Gibbs said: “Special Olympics Yukon is proud to be recognized by our government for enriching the lives of Yukoners with an intellectual disability through sport. This funding will enable us to create a solid foundation for the development of existing programs as well as the opportunity to offer new and exciting initiatives in the future.”
Yukon Aboriginal Sport Circle president Gord Reed said: “Funding from Community Services will provide stability to our year-to-year Aboriginal sports programs and events delivered all across the Yukon.”
Recreation and Parks Association of Yukon executive director Anne Morgan said: “This funding commitment will provide us with the stability we need to fulfill our mission to help Yukoners lead active, healthy lifestyles through recreation and parks. We look forward to continuing our work as a delivery partner on the Yukon Active Living Strategy with the continued support of Community Services’ Sport and Recreation branch.”
Under the new ongoing funding arrangement, Sport Yukon will receive $130,000; Special Olympics Yukon will receive $50,000; the Recreation and Parks Association of Yukon will receive $70,000; and the Yukon Aboriginal Sport Circle will receive $50,000.
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Contact:
Dan Macdonald
Cabinet Communications
867-393-6470
dan.macdonald@gov.yk.ca
Diana Dryburgh
Communications, Community Services
867-332-0886
diana.dryburgh@gov.yk.ca
