Cape Breton Communities Get Sport, Recreation Investment

NOTE: A list of investments awarded in Cape Breton follows this release.

People in Cape Breton will soon have more opportunities and places to be physically active thanks to a $514,825 investment from the province's recreation facility development program.

Barry Barnet, Minister of Health Promotion and Protection, announced the investments today, June 13, for community groups, not-for-profit organizations, municipalities and associations in Cape Breton.

"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 facilities, and upgrade municipal soccer and football fields.

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 Cape Breton is as follows:

• Margaree Highlands Snowmobile Club and Margaree ATV Club: develop multi-use trail system, $70,000
• Englishtown Community Hall: upgrade community hall, $9,200
• Judique Volunteer Fire Department: complete outdoor skating facility, $10,000
• Meat Cove Development and CAP Association: upgrade community centre, $10,000
• Belle Cote Community Centre: upgrade and repair community centre, $38,900
• St. Mary of the Angels Men's Club: upgrade community hall, $18,000
• Isle Madame Boat Club: repair docking structure and deck, $32,000
• Camp Bretondean Incorporated: improve Camp Bretondean, $19,000
• Rocky Bay Irish Club: construct outdoor trails and activity area, $18,700
• Victoria Highlands Civic Centre: upgrade ice plant and arena, $21,375
• Creignish Recreation Centre: renovate community hall, $30,000
• Seaview Golf and Country Club: repair drainage system, tee boxes and bunkers, $20,000
• Lingan Golf and Country Club: replace clubhouse roof, $40,000
• Cape Breton Regional Municipality-Sydney River multi-purpose field: construct multi-purpose field, $100,000
• Riverdale Community Services Society: upgrade community hall and baseball field, $15,500
• Town of Port Hawkesbury: upgrade municipal soccer and football fields, $62,150