Executive Council
October 20, 2017
Premier Ball Announces Support for Easter Seals Inclusive Playground
Today, the Honourable Dwight Ball, Premier of Newfoundland and Labrador, announced an investment of more than $200,000 to support the development of a fully accessible playground on the grounds of Husky Energy Easter Seals House.
Premier Ball was joined for the announcement by the Honourable Dale Kirby, Minister of Education and Early Childhood Development and MHA for Mount Scio; Nick Whalen, MP for St. John’s East; and Mark Bradbury, Chief Executive Officer of Easter Seals Newfoundland and Labrador.
The playground will assist Easter Seals Newfoundland and Labrador to expand on more than 20 recreational, therapeutic, and social programs and services it currently offers. The equipment installed will include accessible and inclusive outdoor play equipment that will enable participants to enjoy outdoor activities with family and friends.
As committed in The Way Forward, the Provincial Government is leveraging available federal funding to maximize investment in Newfoundland and Labrador. This initiative is one of 77 municipal infrastructure projects being provided through $29.3 million in federal and provincial funding this year under the Small Communities Fund of the New Building Canada Fund.
Quotes
“Our vision for The Way Forward includes a target to increase physical activity rates by seven per cent by the year 2025. Through today’s funding announcement, we are proud to be helping Easter Seals remove barriers and enhance inclusion, and to connect children and families socially, fueling their creativity, imagination and growth.”
Honourable Dwight Ball
Premier of Newfoundland and Labrador
“This announcement is a positive investment in the Northeast Avalon, and will benefit families in our province who participate in programs at the Husky Energy Easter Seals House. With a new accessible playground, children will have more opportunities to engage in healthy, fun, physical activity.”
Honourable Dale Kirby
Minister of Education and Early Childhood Development and MHA for Mount Scio
"Our continued investments in the Mount Scio Road area and the university are creating a genuine centre of excellence for the support of children with disabilities and their families. Together with our partners in industry and other levels of government, Canada is proud to invest in these 77 infrastructure projects, which will have a positive and lasting impact on the quality of life for Newfoundlanders and Labradorians."
Nick Whalen, Member of Parliament for St. John’s East, on behalf of the Honourable Amarjeet Sohi, Minister of Infrastructure and Communities
"We are very grateful for this contribution from both the province and the Federal Government. Thanks to this contribution, persons with disabilities will have a park where they will be able to let loose and 'be kids'.”
Trevor Hickey
Director of Corporate Affairs and Communications, Easter Seals Newfoundland and Labrador
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Learn More
Easter Seals Newfoundland and Labrador - www.eastersealsnl.ca/ 
Small Communities Fund - Small Communities Fund
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Media contacts
Michelle Cannizzaro
Office of the Premier
709-729-3960
michellecannizzaro@gov.nl.ca
Kara Connors
Executive Assistant to the Honourable Dale Kirby
MHA for Mount Scio
709-682-6381
karaconnors@gov.nl.ca
Brook Simpson
Press Secretary
Office of the Minister of Infrastructure and Communities
613-219-0149
brook.simpson@canada.ca
Infrastructure Canada
613-960-9251
Toll free: 1-877-250-7154
Email: infc.media.infc@canada.ca
Twitter: @INFC_eng
Web: Infrastructure Canada
2017 10 20 10:35 a.m.