East Kootenay communities have received 2010 Olympic Torch Relay Community Grants totalling $64,000 to help support community spirit festivals for the running of the torch relay across the province.

"Cranbrook and the Elk Valley stand ready to prepare for British Columbia's place on the international stage,” said Kootenay East MLA Bill Bennett. "Hosting the Olympics and Paralympics begins with the welcoming of the 2010 torch relay into all our communities across the province, including Kootenay communities that will benefit from lasting legacies as world hosts."

Communities across the province have received 2010 Olympic Torch Relay Community Grants totalling over $2.86 million, according to Kevin Krueger, Minister of Tourism, Culture and the Arts.

"With the Olympic Torch Relay just a few months away, communities across B.C. are preparing to welcome this exciting international event into their neighbourhoods," said Krueger. "This grants program will enable communities to proudly showcase the very best of their heritage and culture to the world in the lead-up to the 2010 Olympic Winter Games."

The City of Cranbrook will receive $40,000 for a Torch Relay celebration on January 22, 2010 that will include live entertainment of First Nations dancers, school jazz band, bugle band and choirs, and a community video of up and coming athletes.

Elkford, Fernie and Sparwood will also receive $8,000 each for their respective Torch Relay Route celebrations on January 23.

Provincial funding, through the 2010 Olympic Torch Relay Community Grants Program, will be used to support approved cultural celebrations and performances featuring local and regional talent in three categories throughout B.C.:

*       Celebration Communities: There are 50 Celebration Communities. Celebrations will be held in two communities each day – the first at mid-day, and the second in the evening.

*       Route Communities: There are 218 Route Communities of Interest.  The flame will pass through these communities along the relay route but will not stop for a formal celebration.

*       Aboriginal Communities: Of the 218 Route Communities, 50 are Aboriginal Communities. The flame will stop in each Aboriginal Community for a gathering known as the Honorary Elder Fire Keeper Program. This will allow for each Aboriginal Community to host a welcome/ blessing ceremony for the torch.

The 2010 Olympic Flame will be lit on Oct. 22, 2009 and handed over to a representative of Canada in Athens, Greece on Oct. 29 before making its trans-Atlantic flight. The flame will visit every province and territory in the country and will be carried by approximately 12,000 torchbearers.

For a map of the Vancouver 2010 Olympic Torch Relay Route and a list of Celebration, Route or Aboriginal Communities, please visit: vancouver2010.com.

For more information on the Olympic Torch Relay Community Grant Program, please contact communities2010@gov.bc.ca