The Challenge helps fund a major community project |
| The annual Kokanee Glacier Challenge is more than just a ball tourney. It raises thousands of dollars each year for worthy local projects, says Kokanee Glacier Organizing Committee Chairman Alan Chell. "We don’t make money to make money," he said in a recent interview "Each year we give out money to local groups."
At the time they didn't have a particular project in mind but over the years one single concept has gradually come to the fore — the long-anticipated indoor aquatic centre. The indoor pool, as most people call it, has long had its supporters but it failed to get anywhere until last autumn when 67 per cent of the voters during the municipal election approved a plebiscite authorizing City Hall to borrow money for the facility. What's more, a City request for a federal-provincial infrastructure grant to support the project was also recently approved. This now puts the pool on the fast track to completion. So where does the Kokanee Glacier Challenge come in? Well, Chell observed, there are 50,000 reasons why Revelstoke's premier ball tournament is involved. "We decided we could best contribute by paying for the water slide," he said. In public discussions about the pool the slide was identified as an expensive and non-essential option. Kokanee committee members believe having a water slide enhances the pool and, besides, will be great for kids. As a result, the committee has decided to donate $50,000 towards construction of the slide, which may — in years to come — even help over-heated Kokanee Glacier Challenge ballplayers cool off after an energetic day on the diamond. |
This has been a major feature of the tournament since it started 16 years ago and about a decade ago organizers decided they should begin putting away cash to support "a significant community project," Chell said.