Outfitting young people with new equipment can be an expensive proposition for any family trying to get their kids involved in sports.
So KidSport Tri-Cities organizer Andrea McDonald is not exaggerating when she said it is important people get to the organization's used equipment summer sale early this Saturday.
Everything from used tennis rackets to ice skates will be available at the event, with proceeds going to help young people participate in organized sports.
With hockey season approaching, for instance, McDonald said a parent could equip a child from skates to helmet and everything in between for about $100. Barely used soccer cleats can go for as low as $10.
Most of the equipment comes from donations from local families whose kids have either outgrown the gear or moved on to other sports. Some of it, McDonald said, has barely been used and is perfect for veterans of a given sport or someone who is looking to try something new without committing to the cost of brand new equipment.
The semi-annual sales have become increasingly popular and are beginning to draw buyers from outside the community. That bodes well for the organization, which has raised more than $200,000 and helped more than 1,000 kids participate in sports, according to KidSport co-chair Chris Wilson.
"Sports equipment is often the highest cost item for a family when signing up a child to play organized sports," Wilson said. "That's why it is so important for us to host an event like this. We're able to get quality, used equipment out to the community at amazing prices while at the same time giving families an opportunity to support KidSport and get rid of the used equipment they don't need any more."
Those people with some old hockey pads or dusty baseball cleats still have the opportunity to donate their equipment.
Collections will continue up until Friday, Aug. 12 at the Port Moody and Port Coquitlam recreation complexes. Donations can also be made in front of the offices at Centennial, Riverside and Gleneagle secondary schools.
DETAILS
This Saturday's (Aug. 13) sale will run between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. at the Poirier Sport and Leisure Complex's main arena (633 Poirier St.). For more information about the sale or KidSport Tri-Cities go to kidsporttricities.ca.
