Pictou County Track Complex Receives Funding

A new track and field facility for Pictou County and surrounding communities is one step closer to reality.

The province announced a Building Facility Infrastructure Together (B-FIT) grant for $863,000 today, Feb. 27.

Pat Dunn, Minister of Health Promotion and Protection, and Peter Mackay, Minister of National Defence, made the announcement in Stellarton, joined by athletes, students and community representatives.

"Today is a great example of community investments to encourage and support more Nova Scotians to be active and healthy," said Mr. Dunn. "Increasing access to sport participation is integral to healthy living initiatives.

"It is key to pursuing and promoting healthy living for all Nova Scotians."

The federal government is matching the province's investment in the project.

"The government of Canada is committed to investing in Nova Scotia's infrastructure needs like the Pictou County Track Complex," said Mr. MacKay. "By matching the province's funds for this project, government is taking action to create jobs, boost the economy and improve the quality of life for Canadians."

The facility will include an eight-lane, 400-metre synthetic rubberized track. It will include field event components including pole vaulting, jumping pits and a shot put area. There will also be a support structure with washrooms, storage areas and venues for officials.

"Giving a track to Pictou County not only allows us to flourish and enjoy the greatest sport of all time, it also gives us a place where dreams are made, where goals are obtained and, most importantly, where friendships are formed," said Leanna MacLean, a local track and field athlete.

The total cost of the project is expected to be $2.5 million. The towns of Stellarton, New Glasgow and Westville, the Municipality of Pictou County, and the Pictou County Recreation Athletic Society have contributed funding for the project. Additionally, the Pioneer Coal and Energy Mines and Resource offered to contour and grade the land for the facility.

"This facility will provide an excellent venue for young athletes to train and compete," says Pat Carty, chair of the Pictou County Recreation Athletic Society. "It will be a safe and high quality facility for everyone our region to increase physical activity as well as providing an excellent venue to host local, provincial and federal track and field special events".

The facility will be built near the Trans Canada Highway on a parcel of reclaimed land. Pioneer Coal and Energy Mines and Resource and the Town of Stellarton made an agreement to transfer ownership of the land over to the town once the reclamation is completed.

Nova Scotia's B-FIT program was first introduced in 2007 and will invest $68 million over 10 years in the construction of sport and recreation infrastructure. This is in addition to the $3 million invested annually in recreation facility development grants.

B-FIT assists not-for-profit community groups and municipalities to develop facilities to increase public participation in sport and physical recreation.

This announcement is part of the Building for Growth infrastructure project. The program will stimulate the economy by creating a demand for goods and services, therefore creating jobs. The Nova Scotia government is committed to improving our economy and investing for the future.