(Sport PEI)
The trustees of the 2009 Canada Games Dreams and Champions Legacy Trust Fund have announced that money from the fund is now available for access.
Sport groups across the province will be able to apply for funds in three key development areas: the Emerging Athlete Fund, which will help identified individuals work towards becoming high performance athletes, and will assist with costs associated with training, attending camps, and specialized equipment; the Facility Program grant, which will be made available for programs that will contribute to the sustainability of any facility constructed for the 2009 Canada Games, and the Leadership Project, which can be accessed by provincial sport organizations to assist in its growth, such as increased development of coaches and officials.
To manage the investment of the $3M Games surplus, the trustees have entered into a partnership with the Community Foundation of PEI.
“The trustees are very pleased that we were able to negotiate a suitable arrangement with the Community Foundation of PEI that will insure that the surplus of the 2009 Canada Games will be invested with the utmost of professionalism and integrity assuring maximum benefit for the sport community of PEI.” said Brian McFeely, chair of the trustees. President of the Community Foundation of P.E.I., Tom Davies, also expressed his delight on behalf on the Board of Directors, in this partnership.”
“Community Foundations across Canada have long recognized that sport is a key element in building stronger communities,” said Davies. “The Community Foundation of PEI is delighted to be a partner with the 2009 Canada Games Trustees to administer the Legacy Fund which will deliver financial support to Island athletes and sport organizations across PEI – now and into the future.”
Prior to the 2009 Canada Games, the Host Society, Canada Games Council and the funding partners approved a legacy plan that defined how the various legacies, including any financial surplus left from the Games, were to be managed. Following the direction set out in the plan, the 2009 Canada Games Dreams and Champions Legacy Trust Fund was established. The trustees of the fund are Brian McFeely representing the Host Society, Gemma Koughan representing Sport PEI, and John Morrison representing the Department of Health and Wellness, Sport, Recreation and Healthy Living. The trustees are empowered to spend only the income earned annually on the $3m surplus to provide support to sport in Prince Edward Island. This $3m surplus will be protected, and insures that the legacy of the 2009 Canada Games will live on forever.
“We are absolutely delighted to have this finalized, and to be able to tell all Islanders that their efforts in hosting the successful 2009 Games have left a legacy that will be enjoyed for all-time by future generations of Island athletes.” added McFeely. “We set two goals when we started on the path of hosting the Games – to make the event as successful as possible, and to leave a great legacy. We have succeeded in both areas.”
Application forms, which fully list all criteria, are available directly from Sport PEI by calling (902) 368-4110, or through its website at www.sportpei.pe.ca. Full details on the Community Foundation of PEI are also available by visiting www.cfpei.ca