The Honourable Terry French, Minister of Tourism, Culture and Recreation, today announced that municipalities and recreation organizations in the Terra Nova area have received $28,710 in support through the Community Recreation Development Grant (CRDG) Program.

"The Provincial Government funds a variety of recreation and sports programs and initiatives, designed to provide residents with increased opportunities to participate in a healthy, active lifestyle," said Minister French. "An investment in recreation programming is an investment in the present and future health of our citizens, and we are pleased to be in a position to offer this support to organizations which are similarly engaged in their citizens' well-being."

The 2010 CRDG Program is providing more than $576,000 to over 180 municipalities and recreational organizations.

Investments in the Terra Nova area are as follows:

• Eastport Peninsula Recreation and Wellness — $5,500;
• Gambo Sports and Recreation Commission — $4,840;
• Town of Glovertown — $4,180;
• Town of Sandringham — $3,630;
• Canning's Cove Recreation Commission — $3,520;
• Town of Port Blandford — $3,410;
• Charlottetown Recreation Committee — $1,870; and,
• Town of Sandy Cove — $1,760.

"Our government remains fully committed to facilitating healthy, active lifestyles among its residents," said Terra Nova MHA Sandy Collins. "This funding assists groups in the area to implement and carry out very worthwhile recreation initiatives for the benefit and enjoyment of citizens of various ages and backgrounds."

Community Recreation Development Grants are available to communities of 6,000 or less. Applications are considered based on their alignment with the priorities outlined in the province's recreation and sport strategy, Active, Healthy Newfoundland and Labrador (2007). These priorities include providing increased access to programming for all residents; making the best use of community facilities; building community capacities; and, promoting the inclusion of traditionally under-represented groups, especially women and girls, seniors, Aboriginal people, and those with disabilities.

For more information on the CRDG Program, and criteria for application, visit: www.tcr.gov.nl.ca/tcr/sports/community_recreation_development_grants.html.

Budget 2010: The Right Investments — For Our Children and Our Future provides over $1.2 million in new funding to improve existing recreation and sport programming and to introduce new initiatives. Since the launch of Active, Healthy Newfoundland and Labrador, more than $70 million in Provincial Government funding has been committed to recreational and sport infrastructure, programming, and athlete development.

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