Tourism, Culture and Recreation
February 25, 2010

Town of Buchans Receives Recreation Infrastructure Funding

The Honourable Terry French, Minister of Tourism, Culture and Recreation, today announced the T.A Soper Memorial Stadium in the Town of Buchans is getting a significant infrastructure upgrade with the installation of a new ice making condenser. This project is valued at $80,000 and is being funded with the town on a 90/10 provincial/municipal cost-shared basis.

"The development and redevelopment of community recreational and sport infrastructure is among the key objectives identified in the Provincial Government's long-term recreation and sport strategy, Active, Healthy Newfoundland and Labrador," said Minister French. "Investment in the overall improvement of our province's recreational facilities is designed to encourage all residents to become more physically active and involved in recreation and sport programming."

"The residents of Buchans and the surrounding area frequently use the T.A Soper Memorial Stadium for various recreational and sporting programs," said the Honourable Susan Sullivan, MHA for Grand Falls-Windsor-Buchans. "This much-needed upgrade will improve the overall safety of the rink, while also ensuring residents access to a quality-made ice surface."

Today's announcement is in addition to the almost $8.1 million the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador has invested in recreation infrastructure projects 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 community-based recreation and sport infrastructure through the Department of Tourism, Culture and Recreation's Community Capital Grant Program.

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