Communities up and down the Sunshine Coast received part of more than $2.86 million in provincial government grants this week for the 2010 Olympic Torch Relay.
Provincial funding, through the 2010 Olympic Torch Relay Community Grants Program, will be used to support approved cultural celebrations and performances featuring local and regional talent in three categories throughout B.C.
Celebration communities: There are 50 celebration communities. Celebrations will be held in two communities each day - the first at mid-day, and the second in the evening.
Route communities: There are 218 route communities/places of interest. The flame will pass through these communities along the relay route, but will not stop for a formal celebration.
Aboriginal communities: Of the 218 route communities, 50 are Aboriginal communities. The flame will stop in each Aboriginal community for a gathering known as the Honourary Elder Fire Keeper Program. This will allow for each Aboriginal community to host a welcome/blessing ceremony for the torch.
Sechelt received $30,000 as they are a celebration community while Pender Harbour, Madeira Park, Roberts Creek, Gibsons and Langdale will each receive $8,000 as they are considered route communities. Hopkins Landing will receive $3,000 as a route community while the Sechelt Indian Band will receive $7,000 as an Aboriginal community.
"With the Olympic Torch Relay just a few months away, communities across B.C. are preparing to welcome this exciting international event into their neighbourhoods," said minister of Tourism, Culture and the Arts Kevin Krueger. "This grants program will enable communities to proudly showcase the very best of their heritage and culture to the world in the lead-up to the 2010 Olympic Winter Games."
The 2010 Olympic Flame will be lit on Oct. 22, 2009 and handed over to a representative of Canada in Athens, Greece on Oct. 29 before making its trans-Atlantic flight. The flame will visit every province and territory in the country and will be carried by approximately 12,000 torchbearers.
