Kids sports becoming out of reach for some in Medicine Hat

As a child he embraced the opportunity to play as many sports as he could.

With the rising costs of registration and equipment he’s seen first hand a shift from this.

“Not only in my situation, lots of parents have to choose one sport,” Bengtson said.

“The multi-sport athlete is something that is kind of dying off. I know growing up, I loved to play all sports. Those opportunities are being taken away from a lot of these kids nowadays, and it’s unfortunate,” he added.

“These are the things we need to look into getting rectified in the future.”

Ryan Bengtson is a father who has a pair of kids getting into sports. Ross Lavigne/CHAT News

Bengtson had a house fire in November where he lost a lot of sporting equipment his children could have utilized.

This is one factor that will now limit the amount of sports his children will be able to participate in.

“We’re kind of having to pick and choose between, what they can do. Because of the lack of equipment,” Bengtson said.

“The whole cost to regain the equipment that we lost, sometimes it’s just not worth it if the child is not 100 per cent committed to what they’re doing.”

KidsSport is a program to help financially support children looking to access sports.

In Medicine Hat and Redcliff it helped 255 local kids get in the game in 2023.

Canadian Tire’s Jumpstart offers a similar program locally.

Shona Dickie is the manger of community supports with the City of Medicine Hat. Bob Schneider/CHAT News

The City of Medicine Hat also has a recreation component to its Fair Entry program.

Shona Dickie, manager of community supports with the city, said it’s something they wanted to include to help ensure equity for families and individuals.

“We thought it was really important to include recreation as one of those things that not every family has easy access to,” Dickie said.

“It can be expensive, it can be out of their reach, and so this program allows people to have access to our recreation facilities for a variety of activities, whatever they choose, at a discounted rate.”

Karl Walter, owner of Stick Fix Medicine Hat. Ross Lavigne/CHAT News

Karl Walter took over ownership of Stick Fix two years ago.

He knew getting into the used equipment market was something that could help kids gain access to hockey.

He has seen a strong strong demand.

“Lots. Over the past year or so it’s increased,” Walter said.

“With the price of new equipment out there, some people just can’t afford it and we want to help them out the best we can.”

Carla Doll is the mother of a 15-year-old son who has been limited to one sport.

“The struggle that myself along with I’m sure many family’s is choosing between a sport for their child and the rising costs of living, groceries, gas, and other bills I just don’t see how anyone can do it,” Doll said.

“You’d have to be able to save year round to make it work. Especially as kids grow you may need a new piece equipment here and there but for some who hit massive growth spurts you may need a whole new bag of equipment all at one time.”

Doll said her son has been able to play baseball every season, but even though he’s played hockey his whole life, it just isn’t realistic this year.

“Looking at the cost of joining Medicine Hat Minor Hockey it just wasn’t doable,” Doll said.

“We will try to hit the outdoor rinks as much as possible this season to make up for it.”

Bengtson, who also officiates some sports in the city, said the cost of equipment, registration fees and travel costs are some of the barriers to entry for kids getting into sports.

“You see a lot of parents going to the more affordable options, that includes the equipment,” Bengtson said

“It just makes a more sensible solution for some of these kids who otherwise wouldn’t be able to participate.”

Bengtson hopes to see a way for more kids to be able to participate in sport, regardless of financial situation.

by Jesse Gill

Kids sports becoming out of reach for some in Medicine Hat

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