NLIS 3
October 28, 2004
(Executive Council)

 


Avalon recreation forum scheduled for November 9

Kathy Dunderdale, Minister responsible for the Rural Secretariat, announced today that the Rural Secretariat Steering Committee, Avalon Region, will host a recreation forum on November 9. 

The purpose of the forum is to broaden awareness of the recreation resources available in the region and to promote the importance of recreation and leisure to social and economic development. 

"One of the priorities identified by the Avalon Steering Committee was recreation, and the need for recreation to be easily accessible to all citizens," said Minister Dunderdale. "The theme of the forum, Fostering Healthy Communities Through Recreation, really reflects how important healthy lifestyles for individuals are for the development of strong and vibrant communities." 

The recreation forum will be open to all recreation partners and providers in the rural Avalon region, including representatives of recreation committees, municipalities, health and community services agencies, school districts, government and the general public. 

The day-long event will feature emerging trends in recreation and leisure in the region. It will provide an overview of recreational facilities available within the region, discuss how greater use can be made of existing facilities, identify potential gaps, and determine opportunities for collective approaches to addressing recreation and leisure on the Avalon. As well, there will be an exploration of how these facilities can position the region for new economic and social development activity through the hosting of an Avalon Games. 

"The forum builds on the recreation inventory that we completed in the fall of 2003," said Des Linehan, chair of the Avalon Steering Committee. "Now that we have identified what is available, the next step is to partner with communities to identify how we can use the facilities to enhance economic and social growth and enable individuals to participate. I am enthusiastic about working with communities to address recreation and leisure on the Avalon." 

"I am excited and looking forward to having the opportunity to discuss recreation in detail with those directly involved," said Margaret Drover, chair of Mariner Resource Opportunities Network. "It offers an excellent opportunity not only to identify our resources, including human resources, but also an opportunity to work together in partnership to move this initiative forward to the next stage. It is indeed an excellent opportunity to showcase our facilities and to focus our efforts." 

The planning committee for the recreation forum includes: the Rural Secretariat � Avalon Region; Department of Innovation, Trade and Rural Development; Department of Education; Department of Tourism, Culture and Recreation; Avalon Gateway Regional Economic Development Inc.; Mariner Resource Opportunities Network; Irish Loop Development Board; Newfoundland and Labrador Federation of Municipalities; Avalon Health Care Institutions Board; Eastern Wellness Coalition; Health and Community Services � Eastern Region; Health Canada; and the Labour Market Development Agreement.

The Rural Secretariat Avalon Region covers: the Southern Shore (Bay Bulls to Trepassey), St. Mary's Bay (St. Vincent's to Colinet), the Cape Shore (Branch to Little Barasway), Placentia, Long Harbour, and Conception Bay North. For more information on the Rural Secretariat, Avalon region, visit www.gov.nl.ca/rural/regions/avalon.asp

For information on how to participate in the forum call Derek Drover at (709) 596-6217 or Jamilee Fitzpatrick at (709) 227-1322. 

Media contact: Lynn Evans, Rural Secretariat, (709) 729-4570 or (709) 690-6290 

2004 10 28                                     2:10 p.m. 


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