(photo credit to Jeromy Corrigan)

By Jeromy Corrigan

Local Athletes

City of Grande Prairie provides close to $10,000 to local athletes

Jul 4, 2019 | 9:36 AM

The City of Grande Prairie announced Wednesday they had granted $9,968 to local athletes and coaches in the latest round of Pursuit of Excellence funding.

Community Recreation Development Supervisor for the City of GP Katie Biberdorf explained to EverythingGP how the fund has been helping the sporting community for close to 25 years.

“The Pursuit of Excellence fund originally started as a legacy of the 1995 Canada Winter Games. So, there was close to $400,000 which was set aside to help athletes, coaches, and sporting organizations pursue excellence in their chosen sport.”

Athletes or coaches submit an application to the city and then it is reviewed extensively by a committee.

“We have a committee which includes City Council, a County Councillor, and then public members and they review all of the applications and then determine how much money will be awarded to each athlete, coach, or sports organization,” added Biberdorf.

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A full breakdown of how this round of funding was dispersed can be viewed below:

– $3,000 awarded through the Athlete Development Fund

– $968 awarded through the Coach Development Fund

– $1,000 awarded through the Clinic Hosting Fund

– $5,000 awarded through the Travel fund

Through the 24 years of the Pursuit of Excellence Fund many athletes, coaches, and organizations have benefited and Biberdorf reveals, many athletes have expressed their gratitude.

“We have had quite a bit of athletes who have written back to the committee thanking them for their support. Especially the ones who are going to the National or International events.

Biberdorf concluded by saying the legacy has lived for close to 25 years and she is hopeful it lasts even longer.