The Community Rink Affordability Grant (CRAG) is back after the provincial government committed $1.7 million to the program for 2021-22. The grant provides funding for community-owned indoor skating and curling rinks. It was reinstated for the 2020-2021 year, and is back to provide another round of funding.

Last year saw support given to 372 organizations, and minor capital upgrades to more than 580 ice surfaces in Saskatchewan.

"Across Saskatchewan, ice rinks serve as community hubs for gathering and physical activity," Parks, Culture and Sport Minister Laura Ross said. "With all the challenges that COVID-19 has created, the Community Rink Affordability Grant helps with costs associated with running locally-owned rinks. Whether it's skating, curling, or playing hockey, rinks are important to the health and wellbeing of community residents and contributes to our quality of life."

The program is administered and delivered by the Saskatchewan Parks and Recreation Association (SPRA) on behalf of the Government of Saskatchewan. 

"SPRA expresses its gratitude to the Government of Saskatchewan for acknowledging recreation's importance in Saskatchewan's communities by renewing the CRAG Program for another year," Saskatchewan Parks and Recreation Association President TJ Biemans said. "The program continues to be critical for offsetting the considerable costs of operating skating and curling rinks, which are important recreation spaces that build communities and enhance quality of life across the province."

Applications can be submitted between October 15, 2021 and January 15, 2022, as according to the release communities, First Nations, schools, and non-profits are eligible and encouraged to register for an annual grant of $2,500 per indoor ice surface.

Learn more and register for the Community Rink Affordability Grant program, at www.spra.sk.ca/funding/spra-grants