Cape Breton Communities Receive Facility Grants

Families throughout Cape Breton will have more opportunities to be active thanks to the province's recreation facility development grant program.

Nova Scotia Health Promotion is investing $556,584 in sport and recreation facilities in Cape Breton as part of a provincewide investment of $2.6 million.

The grants will be used to build, upgrade and repair community physical recreation facilities.

"Our goal is to get more people physically active throughout the province and ultimately improve the health of all Nova Scotians," said Health Promotion Minister Rodney MacDonald. "Research tells us that people are more active when they have access to safe sport and recreation facilities."

Community groups work with health promotion staff to develop their projects and apply for funding. The recreation facility development grant program provides up to one-third of a project's capital cost and communities are responsible for raising the rest. As a result of this investment, the province will see about $15-million worth of construction by 82 organizations.

One of the grants awarded in Cape Breton will help the Florence Community Centre Association replace their community centre. The association is receiving a $90,000 grant that will be paid over three years.

"Our two baseball fields are used every day in the summer and the new facility will better enable us to host major baseball tournaments," said David Julian, president of the association. "The new centre will also allow us to offer new activity programs for kids as well as host the annual fire fighter days. We are excited by the new opportunities for sport and recreation the new centre will provide us."

Grants available through the recreation facility development program are provided based on common criteria, such as community need and benefits, the level of planning and preparation, stability and past success of the organization, and resourcefulness and partnerships resulting in other funding commitments.

The grant program helps municipalities and community groups plan, construct, renovate, conserve or acquire facilities for public recreation purposes. Projects eligible for assistance include community centres, pools, sport facilities, parks, playgrounds, trails and other outdoor recreation facilities.

NOTE: A list of all grants awarded in the Cape Breton region follows.

• County Skateboard Society: construction of skateboard park; $100,000 paid over three years
• Sydney Skateboard Society: construction of skateboard park; $24,000 paid over two years
• Eastern Eventers, East Bay: seating and jumps for equestrian venue; $10,000 paid over two years
• Cape Breton-Victoria Regional School Board, Cabot High: expansion of soccer field; $40,000 paid over two years
• Victoria Highland Civic Centre, Baddeck: life cycle renovations; $40,000 paid over two years
• New Waterford and District Community Centre: structural repairs to roof; $100,000 paid over four years
• Cape Breton-Victoria Regional School Board, Riverside Elementary: construction of playground facility; $6,197 co-funded by Department of Education
• Cape Breton-Victoria Regional School Board, Marion Bridge Elementary: construction of playground facility; $15,000 co-funded by Department of Education
• Cape Breton-Victoria Regional School Board, Ashby Complex: construction of playground facility; $6,000 co-funded by Department of Education
• Cape Breton-Victoria Regional School Board, Mira Road Elementary: construction of playground facility; $8,387 co-funded by Department of Education
• Bayplex, Glace Bay: expansion of facility; $25,000 paid over two years
• Ring 73 Amature Boxing Club: roof, window and siding replacement; $20,000 paid over two years
• Florence Community Centre Association: replacement of Florence community centre; $90,000 paid over three years
• South Mountain Arm of Gold: addition to hall; $10,000 paid over two years
• Comité de Vie Active de Chéticamp: establishment of fitness centre; $25,000 paid over two years
• Cape Breastoners Dragon Boat Team, Sydney: acquisition of second dragon boat; $5,000
• East Island Radio Club: renovations to community hall; $5,000
• Acadian Centre, Cheticamp: roof replacement; $17,000 paid over two years
• Port Hood and District Recreation Committee: acquisition of ice resurfacing machine; $10,000