FIRST TIMERS S.T.E.P. INTO WINTER

Ontario Investing In Healthy Communities

January 23, 2010

NEWS

LONDON- Chris Bentley, MPP London West on behalf of his London colleagues MPP Deb Matthews and MPP Khalil Ramal was joined by many local participating partners at Boler Mountain to announce $28,000 to fund the innovative and collaborative Sports Training Ethnic Population (STEP) program. The STEP program will allow as many as fifty individuals who would not normally have access to downhill skiing an opportunity to enjoy a healthy winter sport.

The province’s Healthy Communities Fund (HCF) provides support to not-for-profit organizations, municipalities, public health units, aboriginal and First Nations organizations that form partnerships to deliver projects focusing on at least two factors that improve health. These may include: physical activity, sport and recreation, healthy eating, tobacco free living, injury prevention and mental health promotion.

The STEP program will introduce Newcomers (Youth 12-21 years and adults who would not normally have access to down hill skiing because of geographical, cultural or financial limitations) to Canadian culture and a winter sport. STEP promotes the inclusion of individuals at-risk of isolation due to inactivity during winter weather.

STEP program participants will receive:

· A workshop “Welcome to Winter’ to prepare for ski instruction

· Ski lessons by certified ski instructors

· Rental skis, boots, poles and helmet

· Ski lift pass during program delivery

· Ski clothing as needed

· Transportation as needed

Classes will be available on Monday, Tuesday and Friday evenings at Boler Mountain.

QUOTES

“Boler Mountain’s STEP Program reaches out to newcomers to open new opportunities to enjoy a Canadian winter, meet new people and be active.”

– Chris Bentley, MPP London West

“For me, this is a chance to do a winter sport that otherwise I wouldn’t be able to. I have 7 siblings that I help take care of and I don’t get the opportunity to travel to other areas of the city for things. I am from the Congo and don’t like the cold so this an exciting challenge for me!”

– Justine, Participant

“I am grateful for the support of the Provincial Government to help fund this unique program that strengthens Boler Mountain’s vision of being a Community Recreational Facility by supporting recreational programs that embrace diversity. We are most grateful to have the opportunity to welcome our newcomers to Boler Mountain and introduce them to Canadian culture through participation in a healthy winter sport that they otherwise would not be able to do. ”

– Michelle Gellatly, Resource Development Manager Boler Mountain, Chair of STEP Steering Committee

QUICK FACTS

§ As one of London’s leading recreational facilities, the London Ski Club at Boler Mountain has offered charitable community programs for over 60 years.

§ Boler Mountain consists of a one hundred and twenty two acre site located on the western boundary of the City of London. The site offers mountain bike trails and facilities for downhill skiing, snowboarding and tubing. The Mountain’s chalet houses a cafeteria, meeting rooms, ski rental facility and administrative offices.

§ Since 2005, the Ministry of Health Promotion has provided more than $32 million to help over one million Ontarians to get more physically active.

§ Since 2006, provincial funding to the Canadian Cancer Society’s Smokers’ Helpline and online has provided over 95,000 smokers with access to resources and trained professionals to help them quit.

LEARN MORE

Find out more about Healthy Communities Ontario

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