Provincial and Federal Governments Invest $22 million in Pictou County Wellness Centre

Residents of Pictou County will benefit from a new multi-purpose wellness centre.

The governments of Nova Scotia and Canada will invest a total of $22 million in the health and wellness, business and educational gathering place.

The announcement was made today, March 27, by Pat Dunn, Minister of Health Promotion and Protection, and Peter MacKay, Minister of National Defense.

The province is investing $10 million from its Building Facility and Infrastructure Together program.

"The investment demonstrates the province's commitment to help more Nova Scotians live healthier and more active lives," said Mr. Dunn. "It's also a part of the Building for Growth strategy to help stimulate the economy."

"The government of Canada intends to invest $12 million in this project," said Mr. MacKay. "This project will have a significant economic impact on Pictou County and support an active and healthy lifestyle that is so important to local residents and Canadians from coast to coast."

The wellness centre will be a regional facility with health and wellness as its major focus. Proposed features of the centre include a fitness centre, aquatic centre, gymnasium, fitness studios, community rooms as well as a double-rink sports stadium.

"The construction of the wellness centre is a significant step forward in improving the lives of the people of Pictou County," said Ron Baillie, warden of the Municipality of Pictou County. "It will mean a place for our children to have fun, our young people to grow, and our adults to stay physically active. It will also mean jobs, both during and after its construction -- jobs that are invaluable to our region during these challenging economic times."

"We know the Pictou County Wellness Centre will go a long way in helping individuals and families grow healthy and strong in spirit, mind and body," said Vivek Sood, on behalf of the board of directors of the Pictou County YMCA. "The centre will give the people of Pictou County the services and support they need to better enrich their lives."

The facility will be owned by the municipalities of New Glasgow, Pictou, Stellarton, Westville, Trenton and Municipality of the County of Pictou. The facility will be managed by the Pictou County YMCA.

The announcement is part of Nova Scotia's Building for Growth infrastructure strategy. The program will stimulate the economy by creating a demand for goods and services and creating jobs. The Nova Scotia government is committed to improving the economy and investing for the future.