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Whitetooth Affordable Ski Program
A record number of local kids will be skiing and snowboarding in 2010 thanks to the Whitetooth Affordable Ski Program.
The winter program has been traditionally supported by Kicking Horse Mountain Resort (KHMR) and the Golden & District Community Foundation-managed (GDCF) Whitetooth Ski Society Fund on a shared cost basis. However, due to unprecedented demand this year - up 67% compared to 2009 - the Golden Community Resource Society requested additional support to fund the 35 recommended applicants, where family incomes are limited.
“As there were some funds available after our Community Grants Program, we recommended that the surplus go to support the remaining qualified Whitetooth applications,” explained Grants Advisory Committee Chair, Denise English, at a recent GDCF Board Meeting. “We owe it to the community to put the money where it’s needed.”
The rise in the number of Whitetooth applicants was supported by the GDCF-managed Youth in Sports Fund, Golden Log Truckers Association Fund, Bud Steward Memorial Rotary Fund, Community Endowment Fund and KHMR’s Whitetooth Program cost sharing. The Town of Golden and CSRD also dramatically increased their contribution for Snow Shuttle tickets.
Glen Ewan, Chairman of the GDCF, praised Judy Brook of Golden Community Resource Society and the GDCF Board for providing a creative solution to this problem, “I commend Judy, our program partners and the GDCF Directors for their leadership in addressing this exceptional community need.”
While the $43,000 program has provided season passes, rentals and lessons for children and youth from age 8 to 18 in the past, KHMR extended a new option for ski and snowboard instructor courses this year. Eligible youth that have been in the program for at least one year can opt to take a Canadian Ski Instructors Alliance or Canadian Snowboard Instructors Association level 1 instructor course at the Resort. It is hoped that by providing this option, youth will develop an employable skill and ultimately give back to their community through teaching and coaching the next generation of rippers.
Despite the fact that there were resources available to satisfy the extreme need this year, the same extra resources cannot be guaranteed next year. If you would like to ensure that future generations of local kids will get to learn to ski and snowboard, please give to the Whitetooth Ski Society Fund at www.canadahelps.org.
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