Some ham-and-egger gives money to the boxing club

NEWS RELEASE

DAVID ORAZIETTI, MPP

************************* Orazietti announces $34,614 in Communities in Action funding

Algoma University College, YMCA, SSM Sports Council, SSM Boxing Club receive provincial grants

Sault Ste. Marie – The Sault Ste. Marie Sports Council, the Sault Ste. Marie Boxing Club and Algoma University College in partnership with the Family YMCA are receiving Communities In Action Fund (CIAF) grants totaling $34,614 from the McGuinty government, David Orazietti, MPP announced yesterday.

The financial support is being provided through the Ministry of Health Promotion to increase physical activity and sport participation rates in Sault Ste. Marie.

"The Communities In Action Fund grants will create more opportunities for Sault Ste. Marie residents to get active," said Orazietti. "Providing enhanced opportunities for physical activity and community sport and recreation will remove barriers that have prevented people in our community from participating in sport and recreation programs and help us to become healthier."

The CIAF grants are being provided to:

- Algoma University College - YMCA - $20,000

- Sault Ste. Marie Sports Council - $13,000

- Sault Ste. Marie Boxing Club - $1,614

The staff from the Athletic Department at Algoma University College along with that of The Family YMCA of Sault Ste. Marie have created a collaborative partnership in order to revive the programs of tennis, rowing and sailing.

These programs have had a strong following when they were offered in the past at the Rotary YMCA Tennis and Aquatic Club (RYTAC).

Recently, volunteers and former leaders of The Family YMCA have undertaken a complete refurbishing of the facilities at RYTAC.

Last summer, the community responded very well to these efforts and have returned to support the programs.

"The George Leach Centre has initiated and facilitated a number of community recreational programs over the past 15 years," said Mark Kontulainen, athletics director, George Leach Centre. "When the provincial government announced that universities and colleges would be eligible to apply for the Communities In Action Fund grants, we fostered a partnership with the YMCA and RYTAC to deliver year round rowing and junior tennis programs. As well, we have made arrangements for development of local sailing instruction next summer. We are pleased that these new programs will benefit our entire community and will get individuals, particularly our youth, more active!"

Now in its third year, The Communities In Action Fund is a $5 million program that supports ACTIVE2010, Ontario's strategy to increase physical activity and sport participation across the province, and supports the work of Ontario’s Action Plan for Healthy Eating and Active Living.

Today's grant is a portion of this fund.

"The Sault Sports Council is excited to receive grant approval from the Provincial Communities in Action Fund program. This assistance will continue to encourage the momentum that Sports Council is building in our community,: said Sherri Smith, chairperson, Sault Sports Council.

"This funding enables us to initiate a Strategic Plan for Sports Council and Sport Tourism in Sault Ste Marie. A proper plan will allow us to assist local groups more effectively and that's an important step towards a brighter future for sports and recreation groups in Sault Ste Marie," said Lorie Springall, coordinator, Sault Sports Council.

CIAF helps local and provincial not-for-profit organizations provide more community sport and recreation projects.

Priority is given to projects that benefit underserved groups like older adults, children and youth, girls and women, persons with disabilities, Aboriginal people, low-income individuals and visible and ethnic minorities.

"On behalf of the Sault Boxing Club membership, both recreational and competitive, the entire coaching staff, and the board of directors, we would like to thank David Orazietti and the Ontario government for the creation, assessment, and allocation of the Communities In Action Fund grant initiative and its integration with the Active 2010 endeavor," said Mike Hayes, Sault Boxing Club. "This type of governmental support and subsequent funding is vital in order to promote and increase physical activity, interest, and volunteerism in fitness for a healthier lifestyle and in sport not only in Sault Ste. Marie and the surrounding communities, but throughout the province as well."

In the three years of the program, the McGuinty government has awarded more than $15.8 million to more than 400 not-for-profit organizations across the province.

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