By CHAT News Today

The Chance To Play

Mar 7, 2022 | 7:00 AM

For the next 3 months, March through May, Coulee Ridge Development is partnering with KidSport Medicine Hat & Redcliff for their Community Builder fundraiser! That means any funds raised for KidSport Medicine Hat & Redcliff will be matched by Coulee Ridge Development up to a maximum of $2,000! Those dollars will stay in the community to “ensure that all kids have the chance to play.”

KidSport Medicine Hat started in 1997 when it was noticed that there was a need for help with covering registration, which oftentimes can be a costly prospect for struggling families when all other aspects of playing sports are considered. In 2013, Canadian Fitness and Lifestyle Research Institute conducted a survey to determine the average cost of children participating in sports per year. On average, it was found that families spent roughly $1,400 a year on sports alone, this includes equipment, registration, transportation and more.

Funds for KidSport go toward some operation costs but primarily they are used for giving out grants to children, aged 18 and under, to cover registration fees for sports. The grants are up to $300 per child per year. That includes everything from extracurricular to school sports. Every year, KidSport sees anywhere from 160 to 270 children qualifying for and benefitting from their grants every year. In 2021, $44,376.58 was granted to kids in Medicine Hat and Redcliff, allowing them to play a season.

While there is a provincial KidSport, ours is a Medicine Hat and Redcliff chapter, catering primarily to kids within those areas. There are benefits to having a local chapter though, says Hannah Minor, “all funds raised for KidSport Medicine Hat and Redcliff do actually stay to benefit our local community.” Families outside of city limits can still apply for grants, but they must go through KidSport on a provincial level.

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Families can apply to KidSport online via the KidSport website.

So the registration fee is covered, what about the cost of equipment? KidSport Medicine Hat & Redcliff collaborates with several community partners and agencies to help provide sports equipment.

“When kids have access to sport they improve in school, become stronger leaders, create safer communities, ignite inclusivity and fuel healthy habits for life.”

To help support this Community Builder initiative, there are several ways for you to donate:

1. Visit the KidSport donation page and be sure to select Medicine Hat & Redcliff from the dropdown menu.

2. You can send an e-transfer to medicinehat@kidsport.ab.ca with “Community Builder” in the notes field.

Community Builder is powered by Coulee Ridge Development. Come home to Medicine Hat. Feel proud of the community you live in.