Niagara Olympic Club on track for funding
Ontario Trillium Foundation grant supports track resurfacing, pole vault equipment
A cheque goes much further than a baton if the goal of a relay is to upgrade a track and field facility.
Such a hand-off was made Saturday in St. Catharines, where a ceremony was held to officially acknowledge the Niagara Olympic Club (NOC) receiving a $71,600 grant from the Ontario Trillium Foundation.
St. Catharines MPP Jim Bradley described the money as an “investment in people” rather than as an expenditure. He said making the final cut after a difficult application and review process spoke volumes about the club’s plans for track resurfacing, jump pit replacement and the purchase of new pole vault equipment.
“This is not an easy application to fill out, and there are always going to be more applications than money available,” Bradley said in presenting a framed proclamation to NOC president and head coach Sharon Stewart.
He said an organization that played a role in the development of Mohammed Ahmed into an Olympic-calibre distance runner has become well-known and wellrespected across Ontario.
“The Niagara Olympic Club has brought pride to St. Catharines and Niagara over the years.”
Bradley pointed out given that April was Volunteer Month, celebrating the volunteer-run organization’s ambitious plans to host Royal Canadian Legion Ontario track and field championships 13-14 couldn’t have come at a better time.
“It’s always easier to sit on the sidelines,” Bradley said. “You don’t get criticized, but you can offer criticism.”
In her remarks, Stewart said the NOC, the site of annual zone and regional qualifers and the Ontario high school track and field championships in 2003, is all about promoting the importance of physical fitness at the community level.
“We make opportunities for excellence,” Stewart said. “More athletes on the podium, and a better quality of life for everyone.”
Stewart was recently in Australia where she watched Ahmed earn silver medals for Canada in the 2,000 and 5,000 at the Commonwealth Games held in Gold Coast. She held up Australia as an example of a society that appreciates the need for “physical literacy.”
Stewart, who was visiting her daughter Kate and two-year-old granddaughter Addie, said children in Australia are encouraged to be physically active.
“The culture expects children to be active, and the means to do that are provided,” she said. “You don’t pay to go the playgrounds. It’s all free, it’s just unbelievable.”
The $71,600 from the Ontario Trillium Foundation was put in the banks weeks ago, but money nonetheless changed hands Saturday. After it was pointed out the NOC needed to catch up on its annual $2 lease payment to the municipality, Bradley fished a toonie out of his pocket and handed it to St. Catharines Mayor Walter Sendzik.
A wag in the audience suggested burying the toonie at the finish line as a goodluck charm for local athletes once the track is resurfaced.
“Yeah, we’ll call it the Jim Bradley toonie,” Sendzik quipped in agreement.
In terms of promoting physical fitness, the club brings a lot to the table, the mayor said.
“We make opportunities for excellence. More athletes on the podium, and a better quality of life for everyone.” SHARON STEWART, Niagara Olympic Club president and head coach ‘‘
“We love these partnerships,” Sendzik said.
“You bring us programs that we wouldn’t be able to provide.”
The NOC, he said, has had a “tremendous impact” on young people.
“It’s all about youth, it’s all about youth excelling in sports.”
About 12,000 athletes annually benefit from the NOC, which was established in 1994.
This is the fourth Ontario Trillium grant the NOC has received and the first since using $118,000 four years ago for a clubhouse and the installation of bleachers.
The Legion provincial track and field championships will attract upwards of 450 athletes.
The Legion District B championships will be held at the NOC in June.