HRM Communities Receive Facility Grants

Families throughout the Halifax Regional Municipality (HRM) will have more opportunities to be active thanks to the province's recreation facility development program.

Nova Scotia Health Promotion is investing $932,900 in sport and recreation facilities in HRM as part of a provincewide investment of $2.6 million.

These 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 in HRM was awarded to the Lake District Recreation Association, located in Lower Sackville. They require structural renovations to their arena.

"We service a large geographic area with ice surface in the winter and dry land training and lacrosse in the summer," said Bob Rines, chair of the association. "We now need extensive upgrades to continue to meet the needs of our community."

The arena is receiving a $150,000 grant. Mr. Rines is optimistic about new opportunities available to the community once the renovations are complete.

"We will be able to provide a quality facility for our community to use," he said. "And we will have a venue for local events and tournaments, and will be able to offer more opportunities for families to get active."

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 Halifax Regional Municipality follows.

• Berry Hill Parkland Association: Phase 1 of community park; $30,000
• Atlantic View Trail Association, Three Fathom Harbour: complete three kilometres of trail; $10,000
• Cole Harbour Parks and Trails Association: extension of the Eastern Run trail; $10,000
• Brookview Drive Playground: develop playground on Brookview Drive; $22,500
• Portobello Link Shubenacadie Trail: extend PortoBello Link Shubenacadie Trail; $25,000
• Arthur Kidston Memorial Camp, Middle Musquodoboit: renovate the main lodge (Wilson Hall); $14,000
• Lake District Recreation Association: renovate arena structure to make accessible; $150,000 paid over three years
• Rockingham Residents Association: replace play structure and redesign D.J. Butler Park; $30,000
• St. Margaret's Bay Rails to Trails: resurface St. Margaret's Bay Trail; $20,000
• Halifax Developmental Preschool: construct accessible/sensory playground; $25,000
• Halifax Regional Municipality, St. Margaret's Village at Fox Hollow: construct community playground; $15,000
• Halifax Regional Municipality, Cole Harbour Community Park: develop community park; $20,000
• Halifax Regional Municipality, Westmount inclusive playground: construct an accessible playground; $67,500 paid over two years
• Halifax Skatepark Coalition: build skateboarding park; $164,500 paid over two years
• Halifax Regional Municipality, Michael Wallace Elementary School: Phase 1 in construction of youth playground; $35,000 co-funded by Department of Education
• Halifax Regional Municipality, Crichton Park School Playground: upgrade Crichton Park School Playground; $25,000 co-funded by Department of Education
• Seaside Elementary School: construct playing field and playground; $14,400 co-funded by Department of Education
• O'Connell Drive Elementary School: build school play area (outdoor court); $20,000 co-funded by Department of Education
• Halifax Regional Municipality, South Woodside School Playground: develop a playground; $15,000 co-funded by Department of Education
• Beechville Lakeside Timberlea Trails to Trails Association: complete 720 metres of trail; $70,000 paid over two years
• Halifax Regional Municipality, Hartlen Point Community Playground Society: construct new playground; $15,000
• Mineville Community Association: construct multi-use outdoor court facility; $30,000
• Sackville Rivers Association: design and replace two kilometres of trail; $25,000
• Porter's Lake/Myra Road Wilderness Area Association: construct 18 kilometres of trail; $5,000
• Halifax Regional Municipality, Canoe to Sea: complete Trans Canada trail over Lake Banook; $25,000
• Fort Massey United Church: repair and update accessibility in gymnasium; $25,000
• Halifax Regional Municipality, Ryan Rosen Soccer Field: renovate Ryan Rosen Soccer Field; $25,000