This year, Maple Ridge and Pitt Meadows have been flooded with tens of thousands of dollars in provincial grants to help support their sports, arts, and cultural programs.

These Community Game Grants are awarded to non-profit organizations that help improve people’s lives, according to Anne Kang, Minister for Municipal Affairs.

“Healthy and vibrant communities are the key to a healthy and vibrant province, and this grant is one of the ways our government can help communities thrive,” said Kang.

Arts and culture programs in the Lower Mainland received an estimated $11.5 million from the province, while sports-based nonprofits received $16.7 million.

Maple Ridge’s portion of the grant totaled $737,250 across 23 organizations, with $536,500 for sports programs and the remaining $200,900 going to arts and culture programs.

The list of Maple Ridge recipients includes:

Ridge Canoe & Kayak Club – $19,500

Haney Seahorse Swim Club – $19,000

Ridge Meadows Speed ​​Skating Association – $7,500

Meadow Ridge Women’s Minor Hockey Association – $42,300

Ridge Meadows Minor Softball Association – $48,500

Golden Ears Winter Club – $10,000

Ridge Meadows Minor Hockey Association – $100,000

Ridge Meadows Minor Lacrosse Association – $80,000

Haney Neptunes Aquatic Club – $30,000

Golden Ears Athletic Society – $9,250

Maple Ridge Burrards Lacrosse Association – $7,000

Albion Football Club Society – $25,000

Meadow Ridge Football Association – $20,000

Catalyst Initiative Athletic Club – $10,500

Ridge Meadows Football Club – $97,800

Maple Ridge and Pitt Meadows Arts Council – $97,000

Maple Ridge Historical Society – $31,200

Maple Ridge/Pitt Meadows Agricultural Association – $11,000

Polonez Polish Canadian Dance Society – $22,000

Adam Tarn Polish-Canadian Theater Society – $2,000

Emerald Pig Theater Society – $16,000

Maple Ridge Choir Society – $4,000

Surrey German Language School Institute – $17,700

Pitt Meadows received $19,500 which was spread across three non-profit programs in the community.

The list of Pitt Meadows recipients includes:

Port Coquitlam Speed ​​Skating Club – $7,500

Optimistic Interclub Junior Curling League – $8,000

Pitt Meadows Heritage and Museum Society – $4,000

Maple Ridge-Mission MLA Bob D’Eith and Maple Ridge-Pitt Meadows MLA Lisa Beare commended these grants, which were distributed between April and November this year, calling them important resources to support community growth.

“Art, culture and sports are some of the things that turn a town or city into a real community,” says D’Eith. “Maple Ridge and Mission has a lot to offer in this sector and I am so grateful to be part of a government supporting organization that gives people the opportunity to follow their passions.”

“Support from the province is key to ensuring our community is full of activities that keep us connected,” said Beare. “We have some amazing coaches, teachers, volunteers, and workers in the arts, culture, and sports at Maple Ridge and Pitt Meadows, and I love that we can support organizations like minor hockey, the Maple Ridge Historical Society, and the Council for the Arts. Maple Ridge and Pitt Meadows, to name just a few.”