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Tourism, Culture and
Recreation
January 11, 2010
Additional $6.35 Million
Invested in Recreation Infrastructure
The
Honourable Terry French, Minister of Tourism, Culture
and Recreation, today announced that the Provincial
Government has recently approved an additional $6.35
million to assist in the expansion and upgrade of
community recreation and sports infrastructure
throughout Newfoundland and Labrador.
"As a government, we are committed
to improving the province's recreational infrastructure
in order to encourage more residents to participate in a
broad range of community-based programs, and to pursue
more active, healthy lifestyles," said Minister French.
"For example, in Conception Bay South, the Provincial
Government will invest more than $509,000 to make
significant upgrades to the Topsail Soccer Complex,
including the installation of artificial turf, lighting
and bleachers. Upgrades such as these across the
province will provide communities with safe, accessible
and well-equipped recreational facilities that will be
utilized and enjoyed by residents in the towns where
facilities are located – as well as those who reside in
surrounding communities - both today and long into the
future."
The funding is part of the
provincial contribution to the federal Recreational
Infrastructure Canada (RInC) program. A complete list of
recently-approved provincial projects can be found in
the backgrounder below.
Minister French noted that today's
announcement is in addition to the almost $1.8 million
in provincial funding for RInC projects approved within
the past year, including: $630,854 to install artificial
turf and upgrade the International Soccer Pitch at the
Team Gushue Sports Complex in Mount Pearl; $620,905 for
improvements to the Paradise Wellness Centre; $256,478
for upgrades to the Carbonear Swimming Pool; $115,973 to
replace the boards and install safety glass at the S.W.
Moores Memorial Stadium in Harbour Grace; $85,468 to
assist with exterior renovations to the swimming pool
and soccer facility in Grand Bank; and, $64,941 for
facility upgrades and equipment in the Fortune Arena. In
addition, almost $560,000 has been invested in upgrades
to provincial recreation and sport infrastructure
through the Department of Tourism, Culture and
Recreation's Community Capital Grant Program, which has
been delivered to more than 40 communities across the
province.
The development and redevelopment
of community recreational and sport infrastructure is
among the key objectives identified in the province's
long-term recreation and sport strategy, Active,
Healthy Newfoundland and Labrador (2007).
- 30 -
Media contact:
Heather May
Director of Communications
Department of Tourism, Culture and Recreation
709-729-0928, 697-5061
heathermay@gov.nl.ca
BACKGROUNDER
New Provincial Government Recreation Infrastructure
Investments
|
Community
|
Amount Approved |
Project
Descriptions |
|
Bishop's Falls
|
$44,554
|
Replacement of
boards at Pat O'Reilly Memorial Centre
Stadium. |
|
Bonavista
|
$176,723
|
Extension to
Cabot Stadium, including vertical lift.
|
|
Botwood
|
$1,083,302
|
Upgrades to
Harry Ivany Arena, including: installation
of a new board system, lighting, dressing
rooms, washrooms, seating, main entrance
relocation and building accessibility.
|
|
Channel-Port aux
Basques |
$329,711
|
Upgrades to
Bruce II Sports Centre, including:
relocation of fitness centre, and
replacement of flooring, condenser, and
electronic bowling score board. |
|
Clarenville
|
$70,000
|
To assist with
construction of club house and development
of oval track around the existing soccer
field. |
|
Conception Bay
South |
$509,106
|
Upgrades to
Topsail Soccer Complex, including:
installation of artificial turf, lighting
and bleachers. |
|
Corner Brook
|
$1,622,783
|
Two projects: -
Replacement of Pepsi Centre roof - Upgrades
to Margaret Bowater Park, including:
development of a new multipurpose area,
improvements to the swimming pool, parking
lot, trail system and the installation of
new lighting, furniture, and playground
equipment. |
|
Gander
|
$59,839
|
Three projects:
- Upgrades to tennis facility, including:
installation of lighting, court resurfacing,
and new siding on the |
|
|
|
main club house;
- Redevelopment of the baseball field,
including: installation of new fencing and
batting cage, and re-soiling; and, -
Enhancement of Edinburgh Trail, including:
improvements to drainage, paved surfacing,
re-soiling and seeding. |
|
Happy
Valley-Goose Bay |
$375,773
|
Upgrades to EJ
Broomfield Arena, including: improvements to
the ice plant, rink floor and rink boards.
|
|
Harbour Grace
|
$47,208
|
Extension of
Soccer Complex, including: expansion of club
house and installation of showers and
lockers. |
|
Labrador City
|
$619,503
|
Upgrades to the
Labrador City Arena, including: improvements
to the roof, construction of a new exterior
addition, and relocation of the
refrigeration room. |
|
St. John's
|
$986,170
|
Three projects.
- Flood-proofing at King George V Soccer
Field; - Redevelopment of Martin's Meadow,
including: development of a large green
space, two play areas for children, walking
paths, and natural beautification; and, -
Upgrading cycling trails in Virginia Park.
|
|
Wabana
|
$431,694
|
Upgrades to
arena, including: lowering ceiling and
installation of dehumidifiers, replacement
of lighting (emergency lighting included),
exterior siding, construction of a
multi-purpose room, and a heating system
upgrade. |
|
|
Total:
$6,356,366 |
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2010 01 11 11:20 a.m.
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