VICTORIA – New Democrat MLA Doug Routley is welcoming $301,275 to benefit 16 sport, arts, and cultural organizations in the Nanaimo-North Cowichan area.

“The importance of sport, arts and culture for the health and vitality of our communities cannot be overstated,” said Doug Routley, MLA for Nanaimo-North Cowichan. “I would like to thank the many organizations that provide members of our community the opportunity to pursue a creative and active lifestyle, and for those who volunteer countless hours to make community events, such as the Ladysmith festival of lights, a huge success every year. While our government helps in providing the fund needed, none of this would be possible with the hard work of volunteers and community organizations.”

The funding is being provided through the Community Gaming Grants program and is benefitting 10 arts and culture organizations and 6 community sports organizations in the Nanaimo-North Cowichan area, including the Gabriola Arts Council, the Ladysmith Festival of Lights, the Cowichan Valley Minor Hockey Association and the Chemainus Festival of Murals Society.

View a full list of provincial arts and culture recipients here, and sport recipients here.

In 2019-20, the Community Gaming Grants program is distributing approximately $18.3 million to 700 not-for-profit organizations across the province to support visual and performing arts, literature, festivals, Indigenous and cultural programs for people of all ages.

The grants program is also distributing approximately $27 million to more than 800 community-based sports organizations for programs such as soccer, swimming, hockey, biking, martial arts, skiing and Special Olympics.

Learn More: https://news.gov.bc.ca/20956