ID 105565415 © Wanida Prapan | Dreamstime.com

By Elliott Knopp

ML KidSport

KidSport Meadow Lake golf tournament hanging in limbo for second consecutive year

Dec 11, 2020 | 5:17 PM

With the reaction to the pandemic putting many activities and events on hold, a local non-profit is preparing to move forward with one of the community’s most notable events.

Staff with KidSport Meadow Lake is looking into the new year to determine whether they will be able to move forward with their annual charity golf fundraiser. Last year’s event got cancelled due to COVID-19, and this year’s event could face a similar fate if conditions don’t improve.

Brian Gislason, Chair of KidSport Meadow Lake, said the non-profit is hoping they can find a way to move forward with the event if guidelines aren’t relaxed.

“I think it’s something the community looks forward to every year, so we would like to resume with it in whatever capacity we’re allowed,” Gislason said. “This would be our 15th anniversary if we’re allowed to go ahead with it. It’s been a long-running community event that we look forward to resuming after a one-year absence.”

The event brings in more than half of the organization’s funding each year. Gislason added the absence of the fundraiser in 2019 could have been more problematic without support from donors.

Seniors Scene

Christmas is Coming

5h ago

Grey Cup!!!

Everything you wanted and more

Nov 21, 2025

12 Best Tips to Spend Less at Christmas

Nov 18, 2025

“That left a little bit of a hole in our bank account, but private people and organizations donated some money, so if and when activities get going again, we’ll be able to sponsor some children.”

Earlier this year, both the Canadian Professional Chuckwagon Association (CPCA) and Co-op made financial contributions to the non-profit through events including Fuel Good Day ($2,950) and the 2020 Chuckwagon Fun Run Tour ($5,000).

With the golf tournament set to take place sometime in May, the organization is exploring ways to modify the event to abide by public health guidelines.

“We still might be able to go ahead with the golf part, and we might have to make some modifications depending on what the government says. We certainly plan to do it again.”

While KidSport has seen a decline in applications for sponsorships this year, Gislason noted the money has remained available to kids who wish to enter active programs, adding there have been a few sponsorships for kids to play hockey.

“We’re still sponsoring children in activities that are running, but some of them are running at half capacity, and some of them aren’t running at all,” Gislason said. “Hopefully, when spring sports start, there will be a loosening of restriction so kids can play again.”

Gislason commented on the absence of these programs, saying he knows how these programs can impact youth in the community.

“It’s a real vacuum in a lot of kids’ lives right now with not being able to participate in a sport that they’ve probably participated in for a number of years. We understand why it’s not happening, but I still think it’s been difficult for kids this past year.”

Each year, KidSport Meadow Lake sponsors around 100 to 120 kids participating in sports programs in the community.

—

Elliott.Knopp@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: @ElliottKnopp