École Notre Dame des Monts received $3,300 towards new multi-sport and ski concentration programs that emphasize sport participation at the francophone school.
The grant will offset weekly transportation and equipment costs for families as the program’s focus is on cross-country skiing down the road at the Canmore Nordic Centre.
The school applied for the grant through Jumpstart, a Canadian Tire initiative, and is being offered to junior high and senior high students, said Gilles Robert, NDM principal.
“I noticed something was missing here in all of the schools and it was almost sad to see that we live in Canmore and no school was offering this program,” said Robert.
“The students are getting more passionate about this option.”
There are over 15 students currently involved in the inaugural program. In the offseason, students switch to sports such as biking, climbing and kayaking, among others.
The donation to NDM made by Jumpstart, and was presented by the owners of Canmore’s Canadian Tire store, Jacqueline Ares and Pat Pilon.
Pilon says the store has been part of the Jumpstart program for four years and thinks it is an important initiative to have in the community.
“I think it’s a great thing for the town and we need to support our kids to be active in sport,” said Pilon. “We’re very happy we’re doing it and it’s a great thing for the whole community.”
Canmore Canadian Tire holds barbeques and other events to help with fundraising efforts for Jumpstart.
