Winnipeg, MB - Mayor Sam Katz and Councillor Thomas Steen (Elmwood - East Kildonan) today kicked off the City of Winnipeg's second-annual campaign to collect gently-used hockey equipment at locations throughout the city.
"Sport and recreation opportunities should be available to all Winnipeg youth," said Mayor Katz. "The purpose of this drive is to get equipment into the hands of the kids who dream of playing hockey, but are unable to participate due to financial obstacles. We want to take down some of those obstacles and get more boys and girls into the game."
Winnipeggers are encouraged to drop off equipment at any city-owned and operated arena (see list below) and at City Hall until October 31, 2013. The donated equipment will be distributed to qualifying Winnipeg families by Sport Manitoba's KidSport program, Winnipeg Minor Hockey and Hockey Manitoba.
"KidSport believes that all children should have the opportunity to play organized sport," said Jeff Hnatiuk President and CEO for Sport Manitoba. "This equipment drive will help hundreds of kids, who otherwise would not have been able to afford the equipment, now reap the many benefits of being part of a team."
Thomas Steen, a former Winnipeg Jet and Councillor responsible for Youth and Recreational Opportunities in the City of Winnipeg, knows first-hand how playing hockey can help to shape a person's life.
"We want to give every young person who wants to play the game the opportunity to take part," said Councillor Steen. "Participating in sport is an incredible experience and kids should not be discouraged or turned away just because they can’t afford to buy the equipment."
The 2012 campaign, which ran for two weeks in October, collected enough gear to outfit approximately 500 young players altogether. As well, retail outlet Play It Again Sports generously supported the drive with a donation of hockey and ringette sticks, and will be supplying the same to this year's campaign.
The City of Winnipeg offers some subsidies for Community Services Department programs and services. Economically disadvantaged individuals can request a subsidy for registered courses, drop-in courses, and admission to City of Winnipeg facilities.
The General Council of Winnipeg Community Centres, with funding support from the City of Winnipeg, the Province of Manitoba and Canadian Tire Jumpstart Program, contributed $199,260 towards the subsidization of registration fees, including hockey programs, in 2012.
Equipment drop off locations:
- City Hall Council Building - 510 Main Street
- Bertrand Arena - 294 Bertrand Avenue
- Billy Mosienko Arena - 709 Keewatin Street
- Century Arena - 1377 Clarence Avenue
- Charles A. Barbour Arenaâ�- 500 Nathaniel Street
- Eric Coy Arena - 535 Oakdale Drive
- Maginot Arena - 910 Maginot Street
- Old Exhibition Arena - 80 Sinclair Street
- Pioneer Arena - 799 Logan Avenue
- River East Arena - 1410 Rothesay Street
- Roland Michener Arenaâ�- 1121 Wabasha Street
- Sam Southern Arena - 625 Osborne Street South
- Sargent Park Arena - 1111 Wall Street
- St. James Civic Centre - 2055 Ness Avenue
- Terry Sawchuk Arena - 901 Kimberly Avenue
- Vimy Arena - 255 Hamilton Avenue