Provincial budget cuts mean some Alberta Olympic hopefuls will receive less money from the provincial government this year, while developing amateur athletes will likely have to pay more.
In the Alberta 2013 budget, the Alberta Sport, Recreation, Parks and Wildlife Foundation will see provincial funding decreased by $542,000, while Podium Alberta funding will decrease by $200,000.
Sport Alberta, an organization consisting of representatives from Alberta’s amateur sport organizations, said without proper targeted funding, the cuts will paralyze Alberta’s ability to produce elite athletes. After five years with no budget increase, they point out the government promised an additional $10 million to amateur sport in the election, and instead got cut in a tough budget.
“The impact for the next fiscal year will be $30,000 to $50,000 minimum,” said Alberta Sport director and Alberta Alpine president Adam Hull. “This could mean our athletes could have less opportunity to travel and find appropriate funds.”
All Alberta Sports Associations had to take an 18 per cent funding cut in 2009 that was never restored, and there has been no increase since then. Hull said his organization is on strong financial footing, so they’ll be able to lessen the effect and rely on sponsors.
“We’re a resilient bunch. This is certainly a step backwards,” Hull said.
Alberta Alpine athletes must pay team fees of about $24,000 a year to compete for the province, as the cost of camps, equipment and travel continues to creep up.
“As Albertans, we have to make tough decisions with what we fund and stop accepting mediocrity at all levels if we want Alberta to produce world class athletes. That also means when budget cuts are made, the Province aligns funding with our goals,” Hull said.
Currently, every sport is funded equally, so Alberta bowlers receive the same amount of dollars as alpine skiers. Hull said he’d like to see more targeted funding to support potential Olympians.
Mike Neary, program director with Cross Country Alberta, said he’s unsure how the cuts will play out for next season at this point, however, at least four grants under community and voluntary support services the organization relies upon have been cut on top of the estimated $50,000 cut. He doesn’t believe the cut will be drastic, but when partnered with the 18 per cent budget cut in 2009, it adds up.
“Last year, we got $75,000 from the Community Spirit grant. This year, we’ll get $15,000. Next year, we’ll get zero,” Neary said, noting they’ll also lose summer student funding.
Cross Country Alberta tries to rely on corporate sponsorship to fund several of its programs. Many Alberta athletes are members of the Alberta World Cup Academy, which also has team fees in excess of $20,000 a year.
Biathlon Alberta chair Ken Davies said the funding cuts are significant and will likely result in higher team fees and costs for provincial athletes.
“We don’t know yet what the exact impact will be to Biathlon Alberta. If we assume that the cuts are shared equally across sports, then our board will be forced to make some program changes next year,” Davies said.
Biathlon Alberta is sponsored by Calforex Currency Exchange, however, athetes must still pay team fees. Biathlon Alberta Training Centre athletes receive the bulk of provincial dollars and must still pay $9,000 a year to train with the team. Tour fees are extra.
Davies also said cuts to amateur sport have a ripple effect that runs contrary to the provincial push for healthy, active living.
Another cut will see carded athletes – athletes identified by their governing body as those with high-performance potential – lose a portion of their provincial funding.
Podium Alberta criteria has also changed. Athletes must now live in Alberta for three years before they can qualify for provincial dollars, so athletes that come to Canmore or Banff to train must stay here for three years before they qualify for assistance under the Podium Alberta program.
Representing a constituency chock full of amateur athletes, MLA Ron Casey campaigned on the $10 million increase to amateur sport, stating he’d like to see that number increase further.
“Within our constituency, it’s a very high priority. We have a tremendous amount of athletes and any cut has an effect. That being said, there were cuts in every department. In some cases, criteria was changed. In other cases, grants were eliminated,” MLA Casey said.
He said athletes will have to rely on more corporate sponsorship to bridge the gap, and recognizes athletes face difficult financial challenges.
“It’s tougher in today’s world. Local clubs will have to find other sources of revenue. It will be difficult to replace those dollars,” Casey said.
“We want to make sure money gets to those who need it the most. Carded athlete income doesn’t give them the income to live.”
Fully-carded athletes receive $18,000 from the federal government, and the Province kicks in extra dollars for Alberta athletes.
