Last week the Whistler Blackcomb Foundation announced $200,000 in new grants to non-profit organizations in the Sea to Sky, with money going to everything from the redevelopment of a bike skills park to a new snowmobile for search and rescue.
The list of grants was confirmed on Friday, June 8:
• The Whistler Off-Road Cycling Association (WORCA) received $40,000 to upgrade the bike skills park adjacent to the village day lots. The work will include an all-ages pump track, a beginner skills area and improvements to the dirt jumps.
• The Mamquam Elementary Parent Advisory Council (PAC) received $30,000 to replace old playground equipment for the primary students.
• The Whistler Community Services Society received $14,550 to purchase new bins for the Re-Use-It Centre, plus $5,000 for the Whistler Food Bank.
• The Whistler Arts Council received $21,270 towards the WB Foundation Presentation Technology Fund and other improvements to the Millennium Place theatre.
• Pemberton and District Search and Rescue received $11,984 to purchase a more powerful snowmobile to assist in transporting equipment and injured patients, and for searching for lost people in the backcountry.
• Whistler Animals Galore (WAG) received $10,000 to improve their fenced yard, which is used for animal care and training. The space will also be used by families to familiarize themselves with animals as part of the adoption process.
• The Royal Canadian Legion in Pemberton received $8,820 to purchase a commercial stove for use by community groups.
• The Squamish Skatepark received $5,500 to purchase lighting to extend skatepark hours in the fall and winter.
• The Arthritis Society BC and Yukon Division received $1,000 towards arthritis education in Sea to Sky.
As well, grants went to the Whistler Youth Soccer Club to build a weatherproof storage at Bayly Park, which will be built this summer; to the Vancouver Outdoor School for an Energy Education Dashboard for their Environmental Learning Centre; to Whistler Secondary School for equipment for their Outdoor Leadership Program; to Xlt’olacw Community School for materials for their JUMP Math Program; to Whistler Skating Club to purchase new equipment; and to the Canadian Cancer Society to help send a local child to Camp Goodtimes this summer.
The Whistler Blackcomb Foundation is also the title sponsor of KidSport Whistler, which provides grants to children so they are able to participate in sport.
Funding for the foundation comes from the annual Telus Winter Classic and Telus Golf Classic, which will take place on Sept. 21.
As well, Whistler Blackcomb matches employee contributions to the fund.
Altogether, the foundation has given more than $7 million to non-profits since 1993. The next round of submissions is on Oct. 1, 2012. Visit www.whistlerblackcombfoundation.com.
