Executive Council
Tourism, Culture and Recreation
August 5, 2011
Margaret Bowater Park Officially Reopened Today
The popular Margaret Bowater Park in Corner Brook was officially reopened today, with the Provincial Government contributing approximately $797,000 toward upgrades to the park. The Honourable Kathy Dunderdale, Premier of Newfoundland and Labrador, participated in this morning’s ceremony.
“Margaret Bowater Park is a signature piece of the landscape of the City of Corner Brook and provides residents with a beautiful green space to enjoy,” said Premier Dunderdale. “The recent upgrades will provide both residents of Corner Brook and those in the surrounding communities with a park with modern facilities which will be enjoyed now and well into the future.”
The upgrading of Margaret Bowater Park was a cost-shared project between the Provincial and Federal Governments and the City of Corner Brook.
“The Provincial Government is committed to improving opportunities for residents to participate in various recreation, sport and physical activities,” said the Honourable Terry French, Minister of Tourism, Culture and Recreation. “This park, with its upgrades, will provide residents with many options to become active, which is a significant part of a healthy lifestyle.”
Upgrades to Margaret Bowater Park include a new visitor service building, an events pavilion, trail development, and playground equipment.
“Margaret Bowater Park serves as a focal point for our city,” said the Honourable Tom Marshall, Minister of Finance and MHA for Humber East. “The restoration is welcome and will ensure that this park remains a popular gathering place for families from all over to get out there and get active.”
Vaughn Granter, MHA for Humber West also attended today’s reopening. “It is wonderful to see the newly upgraded Margaret Bowater Park reopened,” said MHA Granter. “The new upgrades and facilities will be utilized all year round. It is a great setting for such activities as family gatherings, evening strolls, and recreational sports.”
Neville Greeley, Mayor of Corner Brook, was also at today’s ceremony.
“Margaret Bowater Park has always proven to be an exceptionally popular destination entertaining generations of families and served as a venue for countless community events and celebrations,” said Mayor Greeley. “With the improvements carried out to the park I have no doubt that the popularity of the park will dramatically increase and I hope residents and visitors of all ages will enjoy the park for many years to come.”
Along with this investment to Margaret Bowater Park, the Provincial Government has allocated significant resources to encourage residents to participate in active and health lifestyles and recognizes the importance of recreational infrastructure. Budget 2011 Standing Strong: For Prosperity. For Our Future. For Newfoundland and Labrador includes $11.5 million to support recreation and sport throughout the province. Since the launch of the Provincial Government’s recreation and sport strategy, Active, Healthy Newfoundland and Labrador (2007), more than $70 million has been committed to recreational and sport infrastructure, programming, and athlete development.
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Media contacts:
| Glenda Power Director of Communications Office of the Premier 709-729-3960 glendapower@gov.nl.ca |
Milly Brown Press Secretary Office of the Premier 709-729-4304, 631-8477 milleybrown@gov.nl.ca |
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Diana Quinton Director of Communications Department of Tourism, Culture and Recreation 709-729-0928, 631-8155 dianaquinton@gov.nl.ca |
Lorna O’Neill Constituency Assistant to the Honourable Tom Marshall MHA for Humber East 709-637-2061 LornaO'Neill@gov.nl.ca |
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Donna Ivey Communications Manager Government Members Office 709-729-0898 donnaivey@gov.nl.ca |
Marina Redmond City Clerk City of Corner Brook 709-637-1534 |
2011 08 05 10:25 a.m.