The Provincial Government is contributing $630,854 to install artificial turf and upgrade the International Soccer Pitch at the Team Gushue Sports Complex in Mount Pearl.

The Honourable Clyde Jackman, Minister of Tourism, Culture and Recreation, will be in Mount Pearl tomorrow (Wednesday, July 8) for an event related to this $1.8 million initiative, to which the Provincial Government is contributing the largest investment among the three levels of government providing funding. The federal government is providing $600,000, while the City of Mount Pearl is providing $570,000. The event will take place at the International Soccer Pitch, beginning at 12:30 p.m.

"The improvement of recreational infrastructure throughout Newfoundland and Labrador is one of the key goals outlined in our recreation and sport strategy, Active, Healthy Newfoundland and Labrador," said Minister Jackman. "We expect the improved facilities will encourage more participation in physical activity, meet the needs of soccer enthusiasts throughout the region, and attract more national and international tournament activity to the province."

"There are many people who have worked long and hard to see this project come to fruition," said the Honourable Dave Denine, MHA for Mount Pearl South. "This facility will be a great addition to recreation and sport infrastructure in Mount Pearl and serve our citizens, and those in surrounding communities, for many years to come."

"For decades, the Mount Pearl Soccer Association has been serving thousands of youth in our community," said Steve Kent, MHA for Mount Pearl North. "The upgrades and the addition of artificial turf will enable our sporting community to take things to a whole new level."

"I congratulate the Mount Pearl Soccer Association and the City of Mount Pearl on this initiative," said Beth Marshall, MHA for the Topsail District. "The province�s efforts to upgrade our community�s recreation facilities highlight our government�s commitment to increasing participation in recreational activities. I am confident that the field will be enjoyed by residents and visitors alike."

In addition to this investment, this past March, the Provincial Government announced in Budget 2009: Building on Our Strong Foundation, an additional $875,000 to improve existing programming, and introduce new initiatives which support the goals in the province�s recreation and sport strategy. The strategy can be viewed at: //www.tcr.gov.nl.ca/tcr/publications/2007/active_healthyNL.pdf

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