Annapolis Valley Gets Investment in Sport, Recreation

NOTE: A list of grants awarded in Annapolis Valley follows the release.

Families across Annapolis Valley region will have more opportunities to be physically active thanks to the province's annual recreation facility development grant program.

Barry Barnet, Minister of Health Promotion and Protection, announced today, May 1, investments totaling $673,000 for the Annapolis Valley region. The investment is part of the annual $3-million provincewide grant program.

"Investing in sport and recreation facilities is part of our overall strategy to make Nova Scotians healthier and help reduce the demand on our health-care system," said Mr. Barnet.

The grants will be used to build and upgrade playgrounds, community and recreation centres, construct an outdoor swimming pool, develop and expand trail systems, and build a field house.

Community groups work with Health Promotion and Protection staff to develop projects and apply for funding. The recreation facility development grant program provides up to one-third of capital costs; communities are responsible for raising the rest. The program will help create about $14.5 million in construction through 84 organizations.

"Our goal is to make Nova Scotia the healthiest province in the country," said Mr. Barnet. "We can not do this alone. I congratulate the many volunteers that recognized a need in their communities and worked so hard to build the support and make it a reality."

Grants through the recreation facility development program are provided based on criteria such as community need and benefit, the amount of planning and preparation, sustainability, and other funding commitments.

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

Note: A list of grants in Annapolis Valley follows.

• Annapolis Valley Lake and Ridge Runners: Repair Skinner Brook bridge to make trail accessible, $14,000;
• Annapolis Valley Regional School Board, Falmouth District School: Install playground, $13,000;
• Annapolis Valley Regional School Board, New Minas Elementary: Playground improvements, $17,000;
• Bear River Craft and Recreation Facility: Building repairs and upgrades, $14,000;
• Clare Golf and Country Club: Pave cart path and construct storage shed, $25,000;
• Conseil Scolaire Acadien Provincial, Ecole Jean Marie-Gay: Upgrade playground, $65,000;
• Digby Area Recreation Commission: Retrofit Arena, $60,000;
• Digby County Exhibition Society: Grounds repairs and renovations, $7,000;
• Meteghan Park Development Association: Construct outdoor fitness park, $70,000;
• Town of Annapolis Royal: Perimeter trail development, $75,000;
• Town of Annapolis Royal: Construct outdoor swimming pool, $60,000;
• Town of Kentville: Ducks Unlimited Miner's March trail development, $100,000 to be paid over two years;
• Town of Middleton: Rotary Raceway Park Phase three, $35,000;
• Town of Windsor: Hants County War Memorial Community Center upgrades, $5,000;
• Tri-county Regional School Board, Weymouth Consolidated School: Upgrade playground, $6,000;
• Village of Aylesford: Upgrade ball field, $17,000;
• Village of New Minas: Upgrade Lockhart Ryan Park, $25,000; and
• Wolfville Recreation: Construct Rotary Park Field House, $65,000.