Lethbridge businesses, families rally to support parents dealing with high sports costs – Lethbridge [Video]

As the cost of living rises, local businesses are working with families to offer used and refurbished sports gear for children.

In Lethbridge, a parent can expect to spend around $900 per child per season on registration fees for hockey, according to Lethbridge Minor Hockey.

“Every penny matters right now as well, especially in this economy,” said Suketu Shah, a parent with a child in hockey. “(My partner and I) are both working, still (the prices) make it hard. I can understand for people who are only single parents, only one parent who works as well, (if) you want to put your kids (in hockey).”

Shah also works as the executive director of Every Voice Matters in Lethbridge, a group that aims to provide affordable options for parents in the community.

According to Keith Hitchcock, the general manager of Lethbridge Minor Hockey, smaller communities are seeing “teams deleted” because of high equipment fees.