The Government of Alberta announced a $547,000 top‑up to the Every Kid Can Play program on Jan. 22, 2026 to help more children in Beaumont and across the province join local sports teams and recreation programs. The top‑up is intended as a mid‑fiscal‑year supplement to prevent the provincial program from running out of funds before the 2026 spring season, and to ensure families struggling with rising costs do not have to leave their children on the sidelines.
The funding will be distributed through KidSport Alberta and administered locally by its chapters, including KidSport Leduc & County, which serves Leduc, Leduc County and surrounding communities (including Beaumont). Provincially, the Every Kid Can Play program offers eligible families up to $350 per child to offset registration fees for activities such as hockey, soccer and basketball. However, KidSport Leduc & County’s public materials currently state the local chapter administers grants of up to $250 per child per year; it has not been confirmed publicly whether the new $547,000 top‑up will allow the local chapter to raise its local cap to the provincial $350 limit.
The top‑up comes as local organizations, including the Beaumont Youth Basketball Association, report higher costs tied to increased fees from provincial and national governing bodies. Program officials and the provincial government say the intent of the investment is to make team sports more affordable so that all children have the chance to participate. Joseph Schow, Minister of Tourism and Sport, has emphasized the importance of affordability and access in announcing the provincial support.
Since its 2023 launch, the Every Kid Can Play program has supported more than 21,000 registrations across Alberta. Families who need help paying registration fees can apply through their local KidSport chapter website or the KidSport Alberta/provincial portal. According to program materials, once an application is approved the grant is paid to the sport club or league to cover the player’s registration fees (local administrative practices may vary).
