News release

Funding to Improve Trails, Community Infrastructure in Chester-St. Margarets Bay Area

Communities, Culture, Tourism and Heritage
community grants

Residents of communities in the St. Margarets Bay-Chester area will enjoy significant improvements to walking trails thanks to provincial grants announced today, April 29.

The Municipality of the District of Chester received funding to demolish the Gold River Bridge as part of the plan to replace the structure.

Trail-related funding includes grants to the St. Margaret’s Bay Area Rails to Trails Association to replace the Puddle Bridge and to the French Village Conservation Project to develop trails.

“The provincial grants we are announcing today, such as the bridge and trail improvements, provide outdoor spaces that people value and enjoy. Supporting accessibility improvements will ensure that people can access community facilities,” said Danielle Barkhouse, MLA for Chester-St. Margaret’s, on behalf of Allan MacMaster, Minister of Communities, Culture, Tourism and Heritage. “These investments will support community organizations and provide recreational opportunities for residents of the western shore.”

Several community facilities will also be upgraded through provincial grants:

  • Through the Years Early Learning Centre and the East Chester Recreation Association received funding to make accessibility improvements, including new doors, ramps, bathroom and landscaping.

  • The Black Point Community Centre will install sound panels and acoustic baffles to provide better sound in the high-ceiling hall, enabling more musical performances.

  • The Parish of St. Martin's Grace Anglican Church will update flooring and replace heaters.

These community grants are part of a series of announcements taking place across the province.

Quotes:

"We are thrilled to receive this generous funding from the Department of Communities, Culture, Tourism and Heritage for our acoustic tiles project. This investment not only enhances the functionality of our community centre but also significantly broadens our ability to host a variety of events. It's a game-changer for us and the many community and non-profit groups we support, enabling richer, more engaging experiences for all who come through our doors.”
— Janet Fryday Dorey, Chair, Black Point and Area Community Centre

Quick Facts:

  • grant recipients and amounts:
    • St. Margaret's Bay Area Rails to Trails Association – just over $1.3 million
    • the Municipality of the District of Chester – $1 million
    • Through the Years Early Learning Centre – over $35,000
    • the Parish of St. Martin's Grace Anglican Church – more than $19,500
    • French Village Conservation Project – $15,000
    • Black Point Community Centre – just over $13,000
    • East Chester Recreation Association – close to $7,500

Additional Resources:

Department of Communities, Culture, Tourism and Heritage grants and programs: https://cch.novascotia.ca/investing-in-our-future

Online grant finder tool: https://beta.novascotia.ca/find-grants-offered-through-department-communities-culture-tourism-and-heritage

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