By Mark Squibb
Mount Pearl City council last week voted to release $80,000 to support various minor sport clubs within the City.
The $80,000 fund was earmarked in Budget 2025. Sporting groups receiving funding include Mount Pearl Minor Hockey ($10,700), Mount Pearl Paradise Skating ($7,336), Mount Pearl Marlins Swim Team ($8,428), Summit Artistic Swim ($7,110), Campia Gymnastics ($11,710), Mount Pearl Paradise Bowling ($4,437), Mount Pearl Special Olympics ($4,985), Mount Pearl Minor Baseball ($5,600), Mount Pearl Minor Basketball ($4,250), Mount Pearl Dogs Rugby ($5,250), Mount Pearl Tennis Club ($2,650) and Mount Pearl Minor Soccer Association ($7,544).
Pearlgate Track and Field Club did not submit a funding application and thus was not eligible for funding.
“My understanding is that the Sport Alliance reached out to them several times, and there was no response, so, because they didn’t provide the data, the grants committee wasn’t able to divide up the money to include track and field,” said Recreation Director Jason Collins.
Collins explained that members of the Mount Pearl Sport Alliance and City staff review applications to determine funding allocations, and that amounts are determined based on factors such as the cost of the sport, rental rates, and cost of equipment.
Fittingly enough, the City, in the same meeting, recognized June as Recreation Month. During the month of June, the City is offering a number of free recreation activities for residents.