Fundy Communities Receive Facility Grants

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

Nova Scotia Health Promotion is investing $22,450 in sport and recreation facilities in the region 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 the Fundy region will help the Enfield-Elmsdale and District Lions Club construct a community beach-volleyball court.

"There are a number of private beach-volleyball courts throughout the local area but they are not open for general use," said David Galbraith, the Lions Club project manager. "We have an increasing number of young people who want to play beach volleyball and we wanted to encourage their passion for the sport."

The proposed beach-volleyball court has been designed in co-operation with Volleyball Nova Scotia to ensure it is of regulation-quality.

"Our main goal was to provide a rent-free regulation beach-volleyball court for the community," said Mr. Galbraith. "We want to make sure all groups, young and old, can participate when they want without having to worry about rental fees."

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 Fundy region follows.

• Nine Mile River Trails Association: Phase 1 development of multi-use trail; $8,000
• Earltown Community Club: upgrades to the Earltown Community Hall; $2,000
• Enfield Lions Club: development of regulation beach-volleyball court; $4,450
• Mount Uniacke and District Sports and Recreation Association: development of community soccer field; $8,000