REGINA - On Thursday, the Government of Saskatchewan, Sask Sport, SaskCulture and the Saskatchewan Parks and Recreation Association signed on the dotted line for a a renewed lottery distribution agreement.
The agreement runs for six years, in which proceeds from lottery ticket sales will go towards sport, culture and recreation across the province.
"This is a really great announcement. It ensures six years of funding," said Parks, Culture and Sport Minister Laura Ross to reporters. "When I sit at the ministers table for provincial, territorial and the federal ministers for either sports or culture or recreation, you know what’s really interesting is they are very jealous of what we have here and how we do our funding here in Saskatchewan. And as we announced we have $60 million that was gathered from lotteries here in Saskatchewan, and so it’s a really good opportunity to be able to fund all of these organizations across the whole province.”
Lotteries have been in place as a fundraiser for sport, culture and recreation since 1974. Today, the province states in their news release that funding from Sask Lotteries benefits over 12,000 sport, culture and recreation groups throughout the province, with approximately $60 million from the Sask Lotteries Trust Fund granted to organizations across Saskatchewan in the 2022-23 fiscal year.
Ross said the funding goes a long way to help keep local organizations afloat.
“It’s a lifeblood, right? We’ve got volunteers, and we know that all the communities really depend on the volunteers. They make it work, but they need the cash to go with it. So we are really fortunate to have this type of funding that we are able to provide all these organizations, and that’s across the whole province so just about every community has an opportunity and (every) organization to make applications and be able to receive funding.”
Minister Ross was joined by the representatives from Sask Sport, SaskCulture and the Saskatchewan Parks and Recreation Association for the signing ceremony at an event at Government House in Regina.
"On behalf of Sask Sport and its volunteers, I am grateful for the continued partnership of a lottery agreement with the Government of Saskatchewan," Sask Sport Chair Michael Rogers said in a statement. "As a parent and participant in sport, every day I see how the funds generated through the agreement benefit Saskatchewan residents and positively impacts communities. A multi-year agreement gives stability for planning for all beneficiary groups to continue creating opportunities that make Saskatchewan vibrant for everyone."
"The government's continued support of recreation, culture, and sport speaks volumes about the value created by our industries' collective work," Saskatchewan Parks and Recreation Association Board President Jody Boulet said in a statement. "We are honoured to be tasked with enhancing quality of life for Saskatchewan people through parks and recreation for another six years and beyond."
"Lottery funding is so important to ensuring that cultural activity adds to the quality of life of individuals and families in this province," SaskCulture Board Chair Jan Seibel said in a statement. "From attending a musical to learning a traditional dance, or joining a writing group, or perhaps, exploring a museum, many people look forward to accessing cultural programs, events and services as a regular part of their lives. As a whole, these types of activities help shape the Saskatchewan experience. We are very pleased with the renewal of this agreement, and government's commitment to helping ensure that an even greater diversity of peoples can engage in cultural and creative pursuits that contribute to a culturally vibrant province."
