COLD LAKE - Cold Lake youth facing financial barriers will have greater access to organized sports, thanks to a recent decision by City council to formalize the local administration of KidSport Cold Lake. This move strengthens support for families in need, ensuring that cost is not a barrier to participation in organized sports.
During the Jan. 21 Corporate Priorities Committee meeting, it was recommended that the Cold Lake and District FCSS Advisory Committee assume responsibility for decision-making, officially overseeing the KidSport chapter, which has operated informally for years.
This move aims to streamline the chapter's operations and ensure its continued success in supporting local youth in sports, according to information from the City of Cold Lake.
In recent years, KidSport Cold Lake has averaged around 30 applications annually, but 2024 has seen a dramatic increase, with over 100 applications submitted so far, explained Andrew Serba, manager of economic development, communications, and strategy.
KidSport Cold Lake provides grants to families facing financial barriers, helping children participate in sports by subsidizing registration fees. While KidSport Canada provides funding, the local chapter has been managed informally by City staff, according to information from the City of Cold Lake.
Administration wants to integrate the program into the municipal framework for better oversight and accountability.
“Over the years, the Cold Lake KidSport chapter has been run by several social service workers in the community who now work for Cold Lake and District FCSS and have been running the program on a very informal basis,” explained Serba.
“KidSport chapters in smaller communities are generally run very informally, however, administration felt that it would be beneficial to standardize the Cold Lake chapter by officially bringing it within the organization,” Serba added.
“Administration is recommending here that the KidSport decision-making be delegated to the FCSS Advisory Committee.”
The FCSS Advisory Committee is a group that meets regularly during the school year, aligning with the peak period for KidSport applications.
“The Advisory Committee would be the decision-making body,” Serba confirmed.
Financial oversight was a major consideration in the recommendation. While KidSport itself supplies grant funding, the money is kept in a separate account that KidSport monitors.
City administration is proposing a motion directing the necessary changes to formalize oversight under the FCSS Advisory Board, which would then be brought forward at a regular council meeting.
CAO Kevin Nagoya provided about the formalization.
“KidSport Canada is requiring whatever organization that is facilitating the delivery of funds to sign a formal agreement. So, it can no longer be informal. It's a three-page legal document.”
Nagoya noted that staff had previously been handling decisions and issuing payments outside of the City of Cold Lake’s financial system.
“There was just a sense of uncomfortability about money management and accountability,” he said.
The proposed transition would integrate financial oversight of KidSport under the City of Cold Lake’s auditing process, ensuring compliance with financial agreements and accountability through the FCSS district advisory committee, Nagoya explained.
He also acknowledged the possibility of an external organization taking over, such as another non-profit.
“It doesn't have to be the City of Cold Lake utilizing the City of Cold Lake's resources and staffing resources to do it,” he said. “It's just how it's evolved to today in order to get money out for the benefit of the public.”
Until a formal agreement is signed, the program remains on hold, with funding unable to move forward until a decision is made.
Council approved a motion to approve the facilitation of the KidSport Cold Lake program through the Cold Lake and District FCSS Advisory Committee.
