NLIS 6
September 23, 2003
(Executive Council)

 

Soccer fields and basketball courts up for the count

Ever need to know how many swimming pools, baseball diamonds, basketball courts or hockey arenas are located on the Avalon Peninsula outside the greater St. John�s area? How about which communities on the southern Avalon have hiking and biking trails?

Clipboards in hand, researchers have already started asking these questions, and many more, to find out what kinds of recreation facilities, programs and expertise are available in communities from Bay Bulls to St. Mary�s, to Placentia and Branch, to Brigus, Cupids, Bay Roberts and Carbonear.

The 12-week project is a partnership between the Avalon Region Steering Committee of the Strategic Social Plan (SSP), and the area�s three economic development boards, Mariner Resource Opportunities Network, Avalon Gateway Regional Economic Development Inc. and the Irish Loop Development Board.

"This inventory will be a valuable planning tool for communities and other organizations," said Gerald Smith, Minister of Health and Community Services and lead minister for the Strategic Social Plan. "Recreation is certainly fundamental to health and well being, and this is the kind of information that can ultimately help people in the region lead more active lives."

Partners have identified recreation and leisure as a priority for communities on the Avalon, and hope one day to organize the first-ever Avalon Games for the area. They see this inventory as a good first step towards that goal.

"We know recreation is not only important to individual health, it also contributes to community well-being," said Gerri Thompson, chair of the Avalon Region Steering Committee of the Strategic Social Plan. "Recreation is more than sport, it�s about bringing people together and building community spirit. The kind of information this survey will provide is a great resource as we move forward in this area."

"As a longer term goal, we would really like to host a region-wide sporting event, and see it as a way not only to showcase talent on the Avalon, but to build leadership skills and generate economic activity," said Harold Mullowney, president of the Irish Loop Development Corporation. "But before we can do that we really need to find out what�s out there in terms of inventory, organizations and capacity to run programs."

Three researchers hired through the Job Creation Partnership option of the Canada-Newfoundland Labour Market Development Agreement, have already started contacting town and municipal offices about the surveys. If you�d like a copy, or want more information, contact Pat Curran, executive director of the Irish Loop Development Board and chair of the SSP�s Recreation For All initiative, at (709) 438-2898.

The Avalon Region Steering Committee is one of six across the province working to implement the SSP. They meet to identify common issues that impact a region�s development, plan and consult with community, and foster partnerships that, for example, offer skills-building opportunities to community volunteers, or help students in rural areas take part in after school activities.

Media contact:
          Priscilla Corcoran Mooney, (709) 227-1322
          Marcia Porter, Communications, (709) 729-0175

2003 09 23                                         2:30 p.m.


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