Highland Communities Receive Facility Grants

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

Nova Scotia Health Promotion is investing $401,800 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 was awarded to the St. Joseph's Lakeside Community Centre committee for the construction of a community centre. The committee is receiving a $90,000 grant, to be paid over three years.

"About four years ago our only local facility closed," said Ben Druhan, vice chair of the committee's board of directors. "Our community is growing and the need for a recreation facility became obvious, so a group of volunteers came together to find a way to fulfil this need."

A vacant school building offered the best opportunity for the new centre. The current structure will be renovated to offer a full gymnasium and outdoor space for all community groups to use.

"This project has received overwhelming support and we are excited to offer a new local facility for the youth and families of our community to come and use for sport and recreation," said Mr. Druhan.

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 Highland region follows.

• St. Joseph's Community Centre: construction of multi-use centre; $90,000 paid over three years
• Hector Arena Commission: replace existing ice slab; $50,000 paid over two years
• Town of Trenton: replace siding and insulation; $10,200
• Havre Boucher and Area Recreation and Development Association: build multi-use community centre; $95,000 paid over three years
• Town of Antigonish: community park improvements; $40,000 paid over two years
• Canso Curling Club: replace floor, recondition curling stones; $6,600
• Paq'tnkek Community Centre: complete community centre; $70,000 paid over three years
• Westville and Area Planning Commission: ice plant upgrades at the Westville Arena; $30,000
• Pomquet Development Society: construct a walking trail; $5,000
• Little Dover Community Development Association: install playground equipment and surfacing; $5,000