From equipment for field lacrosse goalies to a Spanish book fair to walks through the Riverview lands to admire the trees, 20 Coquitlam organizations are getting a financial boost from the city’s Spirit grant program.
The non-profit and community-based groups will share $136,296 to buy equipment, support programs, put on events and host sports tournaments.
The money comes from the city’s agreement to host the Hard Rock Casino from which it receives 10 per cent of revenues.
Of that, 12.5 per cent is dedicated to a fund that operated Coquitlam’s tourism and Spirit grant programs.
Since the Spirit program was started in 2002, the city has awarded more than $9.5 million to 242 organizations.
Applications for next year’s grant program will be open from Feb. 1 to March 1, 2024.
This year’s recipients are:
- $7,335 to Coastal Partners in Conservation for equipment to monitor species at risk in Coquitlam parks
- $4,134 to the Coquitlam Amateur Radio Emergency Services Society for equipment
- $2,214 to Hoy Creek Watershed Society for equipment to monitor salmon
- $2,798 to Scouts Canada 5th Coquitlam for outdoor equipment
- $10,000 to VoiceStory to support its community networking program
- $10,588 to ACCESS Youth Outreach Services Society for its overdose awareness event series
- $1,134 to Arriba el Mate Foundation for a Spanish book fair
- $1,500 to the Baker Drive Parent Advisory Council for a community block party
- $13,537 to the Centennial Secondary School Parent Advisory Council for three community carnivals for home football games
- $1,750 to Fraser Pacific Rose Society for its annual rose show
- $5,581 to the Riverview Horticultural Society for its tree walks
- $693 to Theatrix Youtheatre Society for the final public performance of its Triple Threat Level Up program
- $15,000 to Tri-Cities Pride Society for the city’s 2024 Pride event
- $13,783 to the Tri-City Chinese Community Society for its 2023 Chinese Lunar New Year carnival
- $8,807 to the Walton Elementary Parent Advisory Council for the school’s 35th anniversary community carnival
- $1,416 to the Coquitlam Lions Water Polo Association to stage its 2024 Ethan Dunn memorial water polo tournament
- $25,000 to Coquitlam Minor Lacrosse Association to host its 2024 female Adanac Challenge and its 2024 Trevor Wingrove memorial tournament
- $4,981 to Pacific Storm water polo club for its 2024 tournament of courage
- $5,000 to the Adanacs Field Lacrosse Association for goalie equipment
- $1,025 to the BC Aquasonics Synchronized Swim Club to acquire additional underwater earphones
