Page 37 - Sports Energy News, Cornwall, Issue No 105
P. 37
www.sportsenergynews.com Issue #105 October 2021 37
Char-Lan Skating Club Receives Jumpstart Grant
By Molly Kett used to purchase a second hockey
sled so that we can remove barriers
he Jumpstart Sport Relief grant to participation to skaters with
Twas given to the Char-Lan physical disabilities. Having two
Skating Club and many other youth sleds in different sizes means that
sports organizations across Canada we can offer skating instruction
to support existing minor sports to anyone who may not have been
organizations as they continue to able to participate otherwise,” said
offer access to sport and play. Many Slinger. “We will also be using the
organizations were not able to operate funds to purchase on-ice teaching
in 2020, or if they did, were severely aids for all of our programs, offset
impacted due to COVID-19. In increased ice costs, and to ensure
2020, Jumpstart granted $8 million that we have a low ratio of skaters
to help organizations continue to to coaches on the ice at all times so
operate. In 2021 Canadian Tire our skaters receive quality skating
Corporation committed $12 million instruction.” Photo Submitted
to the Jumpstart Sport Relief For those who don’t know, the
fund to help communities rebuild Char-Lan Skating Club has been money will allow our programming season. Operating last year would
to grow and be accessible to all
through sport and play. The Char- operating out of the Char-Lan not have been possible without our
Lan Skating Club was lucky to be Recreation Centre in Williamstown who wish to learn how to skate. dedicated club volunteers and all the
Removing barriers to participation
chosen alongside 1,200 other sport since its inception in 1974. The club wonderful support we had from the
and recreation organizations from has been teaching youth of the area is very important to us, so being community. Our members trusted us
across Canada. to skate to prepare them for hockey, able to purchase adaptive equipment to teach their children how to skate
and
keeping
registration
our
To be selected for this grant, ringette, speed skating, figure fees reasonable is crucial,” said in a safe and healthy way when a lot
organizations had to be actively skating, or recreational skating. Slinger. “We were very happy to of other sports organizations were
engaging participants with a The club offers different programs be able to offer skating programs not operating. We are very thankful
focus on children and youth with including Pre-CanSkate (skaters during the 2020-2021 season. for the support of our community,
disabilities. Over the summer, the aged 3-5), CanSkate, Adult and It wasn’t easy, as we had many and because of that we are having
Char-Lan skating club applied for Teen Skate, and STARSkate. restrictions that we had to follow, an amazing 2021 season. Our
the grant after the team surveyed the “This year we have had an and we had to navigate through community has rallied around us,
impacts that the pandemic has had overwhelming response to our Pre- two lockdowns during our skating and we could not be more grateful.”
on this small club. CanSkate and CanSkate programs,
“When we determined that we with nearly 100 skaters between the
met the criteria for the grant, we two programs! We are also proud to
began the application process, offer a hockey sled at no additional Sports Energy
which involved submitting an cost for skaters with physical
impact statement of how COVID-19 disabilities, so that they may also Greater Cornwall & Areas Community Sports Newspaper
affected our club, an overview of be introduced to skating. We also Would like to thank all our advertisers,
our programming and participants, have a great figure skating program
our plans to create equity, diversity, called STARSkate, teaching skaters who have teamed up with us to share some
and inclusion within our club, from youth all the way up to adults,”
programming details, and details of said Slinger. “We have a proud remarkable, positive local sports success
our budget,” said Stephanie Slinger. history in the Williamstown area, stories, from all ages, young and old.
“With this grant, we plan to recover and the arena is the heart of the
from the impacts of the pandemic.” community. The Char-Lan Skating To Advertise in Sports Energy, please make
Club prepares skaters for a variety
For reference on how much the contact with our sales team today.
of ice sports as well as helps skaters
pandemic has impacted this amazing feel comfortable to go out and skate Gord Shaver
club, last season they had to take on Mike Piquette
with their friends at school or at our
more ice time and reduce coaching many outdoor rinks. We are also the
levels on their sessions to keep first club in our area to offer adaptive
operating. They were also unable to
skating with our hockey sled that
participate in their most impactful was donated to us by ParaSport
fundraiser, selling ice cream at the
Ontario and Unique Inventions.”
Williamstown Fair. The ice cream
booth is run by dedicated club When this dedicated team learned
volunteers, and the funds raised go that they had been selected to
directly to the skaters. The grant will receive the Jumpstart grant, they
make a big difference in allowing were elated.
the club to continue providing the “As a small club, it’s not always 613-362-8004 613-662-3654
community with fantastic skating easy to secure grant funding, so gordshaver@hotmail.com mike@sportsenergynews.com
opportunities. we were very happy to get chosen “Please support our Advertisers”
“Funds from the grant will be by Jumpstart. Having this grant
