News Releases
Government Home Search Sitemap Contact Us  

Tourism, Culture and Recreation
June 1, 2010

Recreation Month Activities Highlight Importance of Physical Activity

June is Recreation Month in Newfoundland and Labrador, and the Honourable Terry French, Minister of Tourism, Culture and Recreation, is encouraging all residents to make a concerted effort to increase their personal level of physical activity and enjoy the many benefits it has to offer.

"Recreation Month is designed to increase awareness around the benefits of a healthy, active lifestyle and the positive impact recreation can have on our everyday lives," said Minister French. "Together with our provincial sport and recreation partners, including Recreation Newfoundland and Labrador, the Provincial Government is working to increase participation in physical activity throughout the province."

The official launch of Recreation Month, hosted by Recreation Newfoundland and Labrador, will take place this evening (Tuesday, June 1) at the Three Corners Soccer Field in Torbay from 5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. The theme, "Just For the Fun of It", is designed to encourage all residents to participate in various recreational and physical activities, just for the pure enjoyment of it.

"There are many benefits to participating in recreational activity, not the least of which is that it is part of building a healthy lifestyle," said Wanda Wight, President of Recreation NL. "Although June is Recreation Month, we hope people will be reminded to make recreation and physical activity a part of their daily lives throughout the year."

Budget 2010: The Right Investments — For Our Children and Our Future builds on investments made to support increased participation in physical activity, athlete development, and improved infrastructure, since the release of the provinces recreation and sport strategy, Active, Healthy Newfoundland and Labrador (2007). New and increased investments include $350,000 in additional support to the Newfoundland and Labrador Games and Canada Games programs, $300,000 in additional grants for community sports and recreation infrastructure, and $200,000 for new community-based, after-school programming.

Since the introduction of the strategy, the Provincial Government has invested $62.4 million in sports and recreation infrastructure, and an additional $5 million to support specific recreational programming throughout the province.

For more information on Recreation Month in Newfoundland and Labrador, visit www.recreationnl.com.

- 30 -

Photo:  The Honourable Terry French, Minister of Tourism, Culture and Recreation was joined by Grade 4 students from Topsail Elementary in Conception Bay South last week to sign a proclamation declaring June as Recreation Month in Newfoundland and Labrador. From left are: Minister French, Topsail MHA Paul Davis, Rob Button, President-elect of Recreation Newfoundland and Labrador (with pen), Calvin Rendell, Past President of the C.B.S Soccer Association, and Karen Spencer of the C.B.S. Parks Commission.

Media contacts:

Heather May
Director of Communications
Department of Tourism, Culture and Recreation
709-729-0928, 697-5061
heathermay@gov.nl.ca
Gary Milley
Executive Director
Recreation Newfoundland and Labrador
709-729-3892
garymilley@recreationnl.com

 

2010 06 01                                                    9:40 a.m.


SearchHomeBack to GovernmentContact Us


All material copyright the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador. No unauthorized copying or redeployment permitted. The Government assumes no responsibility for the accuracy of any material deployed on an unauthorized server.
Disclaimer/Copyright/Privacy Statement