January, 2000

Community grants awarded around the province

Snowmobile riders in Wynyard will have a safer winter this year, thanks to the Wynyard Kinsmen Club. At the end of the month, the club will hold a snowmobile safety training course for 12 to 16-year-olds.

Effective Jan. 1, 1998, all riders between the ages of 12 and 16 must complete a safety course before being allowed to operate a snowmobile in public areas. This is in addition to the previously existing requirement that young riders be supervised by someone who holds a valid Saskatchewan driver's licence.

"We decided to put on a snowmobile safety course for youth because there was such a demand for it, and we have a lot of young riders in the area," said Marlin Johnson of the Wynyard Kinsmen Club. "We're thankful for SGI's support toward this project."

Support from SGI was given in the form of a community grant awarded to the group in October 1999 by SGI Traffic Safety Promotion and the Acquired Brain Injury (ABI) Partnership Project.

"Since it became mandatory for under-age snowmobile riders to take a safety course, we have seen an increase in organizations across the province coming to us for help with putting on the course. And we are glad to offer the support necessary to provide this training through community grants," said Shannon Ell, SGI's Supervisor of Traffic Safety Promotion.

Many communities across the province have benefited from the community grants awarded since the program's inception in 1997. Among the groups that have benefited from nearly 170 SGI community grants awarded in 1999 include Outlook School Division, which used its grant to put all of its grade 12 students through a one day defensive driving program, and the Weyburn Police Service, which used its grant to conduct bicycle safety rodeos at each of the six elementary schools in Weyburn.

Grants are awarded to groups based on a set of criteria that must be met before applications will be considered. Initiatives must address SGI traffic safety or ABI program priorities. There must also be a need in the community for the project.

The first set of community grants for 2000 will be awarded in April. Application deadline is March 31. For more information on eligibility criteria or to receive an application, contact Shannon Ell at (306) 775-6179.

For more information, contact:
Shannon Ell
Supervisor, Traffic Safety Promotion
SGI Communications
Regina
(306) 775-6179

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