The King George V Soccer Complex, operated by the St. John's Soccer Club, is home to a new mini soccer pitch, thanks in part to a $75,000 investment provided through the Department of Tourism, Culture and Recreation.

The Honourable Terry French, Minister of Tourism, Culture and Recreation, was at the complex this afternoon to make the official announcement. Minister French was joined by the Honourable Shawn Skinner, MHA for St. John's Centre; the Honourable Kathy Dunderdale, MHA for Virginia Waters; Ed Buckingham, MHA for St. John's East, John Dinn, MHA for Kilbride, along with Brian Murphy, Treasurer, St. John's Soccer Club.

"With the addition of a mini soccer pitch, the King George V Soccer Complex has become one of the best soccer facilities in the country," said Minister French. "In recent years, soccer has grown into one of the most popular sports for children in the province and this new field will certainly provide young players with a high-quality playing surface to use and enjoy every day."

For more information about the King George V Soccer Complex and the St. John's Soccer Club, visit: sjsoccer.sport.ca/.

"By adding this new mini-pitch to King George V, we can now expand our club and the programs we offer to those from under six to those 60 plus," said Mr. Murphy. "The biggest benefit is that activities can take place at this facility without affecting the main playing area."

Budget 2010: The Right Investments — For Our Children and Our Future provides more than $1.2 million to improve existing programming, and introduce new initiatives which support the goals in the province's recreation and sport strategy, Active, Healthy Newfoundland and Labrador . Since the introduction of the strategy in 2007, more than $62.4 million in new funding has been committed for recreation and sport infrastructure and equipment throughout the province.

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