Communities in Highland Region Get Sport, Recreation Investment

NOTE: A list of investments awarded in the Highland region -- Pictou, Antigonish and Guysborough counties -- follows this release.

People in the Highland region will soon have more opportunities and places to be physically active thanks to a $327,000 investment from the province's recreation facility development program.

Barry Barnet, Minister of Health Promotion and Protection, announced the investments today, June 12, for community groups, not-for-profit organizations and associations in the Highland region.

"Providing children, families, and seniors with accessible places to participate in sport and recreation is a key part of our plan to build safer, healthier communities," said Mr. Barnet. "These groups have worked hard to improve their communities and we are proud to support them with these investments."

The grants will be used to develop trail systems, build and renovate community centres, construct squash courts, and build outdoor sport facilities.

Recreation facility development is a $3-million program that 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. Community groups develop facilities to increase public participation in sport and physical recreation. They work with Health Promotion and Protection staff to plan 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. "These announcements represent another positive step toward reaching that goal."

Recreation facility development is one part of the province's commitments to invest $68 million in sport and recreation infrastructure by the year 2017.

NOTE: A list of investments in the Highland region is as follows:

• YM/YWCA-Big Cove Camp: construct camp medical clinic, $30,000
• Hector Arena Commission: purchase ice resurfacing machine, $22,000
• Harbourview Community Centre Association: construct community centre, $100,000
• Lincolnville Development Community Association: expand community centre, $10,000
• Mini Trail Community Centre Association: replace community centre roof, $22,000
• Municipality of Guysborough (Larry's River): construct multi-purpose outdoor recreation facility, $40,000
• Oceanview Playground Society: construct playground and basketball court, $21,000
• Pictou County Squash Society: build two new squash courts, $50,000
• Stellarton Curling Club: replace club roof, $17,000
• Town of Pictou-John Allan Chisholm Memorial Field: build public washrooms and canteen, $15,000