BANFF – A private foundation is donating $90,000 to help offset recreation costs for Banff residents.
The Wim and Nancy Pauw Foundation – a private Banff-based group which aims to support projects that help promote a more active community – provided the funding to various community programs.
Among the recipients will be The Basement youth drop-in centre, the Town of Banff's Mountain Adventurers out-of-school programs and the BanffLIFE Mountain Adventure program.
“We are excited to once again partner with the Town of Banff to support the delivery of recreational services at an affordable price for youth and young adults in our community,” said Cathy Geisler, the executive director of the foundation, in a press release.
“The Wim and Nancy Pauw Foundation takes great pride in promoting active lifestyles for community residents and we are pleased to see the Town responding to the needs of our residents to offer unique recreation programs for all.”
The foundation also donated $90,000 to the Town for recreational programs last year.
According to the release, 1,228 students between Grade 5 and 8 used The Basement, while the Mountain Adventure program had 227 people participate on Friday afternoons out-of-school.
The summer Youth Get Out program – a pilot project – had 339 Grade 7 and 8 students take part in weekly activities such as soccer, basketball and skateboarding.
The foundation has previously helped with other projects, committing to $2.5 million in 2020 to help construct a pedestrian bridge across the Bow River to connect downtown to the recreation grounds and Cave and Basin area.
Later in 2020, it contributed $100,000 to the YWCA’s Thriving Futures campaign.
They also provided $440,000 earlier this year to the Canadian Rockies Public School division to help cover fees and pay for enhanced learning opportunities. They’ve given more than $1.3 million to the school division since 2013.
From 2013-19, the foundation gave $1.4 million to community initiatives.
“Our community is so fortunate to receive this generous gift from the Wim and Nancy Pauw Foundation,” said Alison Gerrits, the Town of Banff’s director of community services, in the release.
“We know how important recreation is to physical and social wellbeing and this funding support removes barriers for children, youth and young adults to participate by offering these programs at low or no cost. We’re absolutely thrilled to have this partnership.”
Where’s it going?
- $25,000: To give affordable BanffLIFE Mountain Adventure excursions for residents between 18 and 30
- $19,000: For the Mountain Adventurers out-of-school program for Grades 4 to 8
- $18,000: Funding for summer youth drop-in program for young teens
- $10,000: Towards the Town of Banff’s drop-in recreation programming initiative to help cover the administration fee for PAUW cards
- $10,000: The Basement youth drop-in programs for Grade 5 to 8
- $8,000: Provide affordable Mountain Life adventure excursions for residents 30 and older
