A legacy fund established following the 2018 Saskatchewan Winter Games continues to support local sports, with more than $200,000 now being directed toward North Battleford’s arena project.
A cheque from the Saskatchewan Winter Games Surplus Fund for $207,850.23 was presented during North Battleford city council’s meeting this week.
Following the 2018 games, organizers reported a profit of more than $224,000. With council’s approval, the money was placed in a legacy fund through the Battlefords and District Community Foundation.
About a year ago, the city received $75,000 from the fund to support a planning study examining the need for a new sports centre. Combined with the latest contribution, that brings the fund’s support for the proposed arena project to $282,850.23.
The fund has also provided $84,564 in grants to local sports organizations, many of which focus on youth. Recipients have included the Battlefords Minor Softball Association, Twin Rivers Curling Club, Table Mountain Ski Club and Battlefords Scuba.
The total also includes $28,989 in administration fees paid to the Battlefords and District Community Foundation.
“The total community impact of the fund and the profits from the Winter Games amounts to just short of 400,000,” said Rob Rongve, 2018 Saskatchewan Winter Games co-chair. “It’s $396,403.23 over the past eight years.”
Mayor Kelli Hawtin said the games had a significant impact on the community, thanks in part to the people who helped make the event possible.
“That event itself was a huge impact to our community, not only for community spirit, but economic impact and allowing people in the rest of the province to experience the great things that we have here in North Battleford and in our region,” she said.
“But to take those funds and turn it into impact over the last eight years and now really being the seed dollars for a new arena facility… what a great decade.”
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