The Olympic/Paralympic Live Sites Program is designed to provide funding for the construction or upgrading of facilities that leave a lasting Olympic legacy within a community.
It is also for the development of Olympic viewing venues, such as theatres, multi-media or portable teleconferencing systems, dedicated media rooms and major equipment purchases such as overhead display systems.
Premier Gordon Campbell announced the funding Wednesday at a summit meeting for the Spirit of B.C. Community Committee.
"Our goal is to help British Columbians… by supporting projects that will help build a lasting legacy of opportunity, achievement and celebration in communities across the province," said Campbell.
Small Business and Economic Development Minister John Les said, "the program is designed to ensure a share of the benefits from the Games flows to as many British Columbians as possible. "We are particularly interested in projects that will add greater economic value to the community."
To qualify for funding a project must be a one-time capital project that meets a need in the local community and will be accessible to the general public. The province will fund up to 50 per cent of the cost of an eligible project, up to $330,000.
Projects must be completed no later than March 31, 2006 but the province is considering options for a separate program to fund major capital projects.
Local governments located outside the Greater Vancouver Regional District and the Whistler-Squamish corridor, including incorporated and unincorporated rural areas, are eligible to submit an application for program funding. Registered non-profit societies, whose applications have been endorsed by local governments, are also eligible to apply.
Applications may be submitted at any time and funding decisions will be ongoing up until Dec. 31, 2005.
Application packages will be available on the Ministry of Small Business and Economic Development Web site at www.gov.bc.ca/sbed , from MLA’s offices and from government agents.
Additional packages and questions about the program can be directed to Infrastructure Development Branch, Ministry of Small Business and Economic Development by calling 250-952-0675.
