Thirteen Prince George sports and cultural events received a total of $882,795 in one-time provincial grants to support the province’s recovery from COVID-19.
Events happening between July 1, 2021 and Sept. 30, 2022 were eligible to apply for grants to cover 20 per cent of their operating costs, up to $250,000, according to information released by the Ministry of Tourism, Arts, Culture and Sport on Monday.
"We heard overwhelmingly from event organizers that grants, not loans, were key to keeping their doors open to the public and workers employed,” Minister Melanie Mark said in a press release. “Our government answered their call to action, as we know the major impact these community gatherings have on our mental health and local businesses around them."
The 2022 World Women's Curling Championship, scheduled to take place at CN Centre in March, received the maximum $250,000 grant.
The Best Damn Music Festival, Prince George Symphony Orchestra and 2022 B.C. Summer Games (happening in Prince George in July), each received grants ranging from $157,000 to $100,000.
The 2022 Canadian Biathlon Championships, 2022 Cross Country Skiing BC Championships, Downtown Winterfest, Festival d'Hiver FrancoFUN Winter Festival, British Columbia Northern Exhibition (BCNE), Coldsnap, Downtown Summerfest, Northern FanCon and Theatre Outside received grants ranging from $64,740 to $7,401 to host their events.
The Prince George events were among 680 sports and cultural events across the province to receive a total of $30 million in grants on Monday.
