Community Recreation Program to fund projects which will improve recreational infrastructure.
In Fernie Max Turyk Soccer Field Development will benefit with $350,937 by re-aligning the existing Max Turyk field, there will be space for the construction of an additional regulation-sized soccer field. This will result in increased capacity for hosting tournaments and offer green space to community members for many casual recreational activities.
In Sparwood, the Sparwood Leisure Centre Energy Retrofit has recieved $400,000 to Replace the 27-year-old heating system and gas boilers. Doing this will reduce GHG emissions by 163 tonnes/year and save the District approximately $49,000/year. These savings will be invested in public engagement activities to promote active living.
“I’m pleased with how the Community Recreation Program was designed. We’re seeing a wide variety of funding applications that all relate back to helping people get out there and fun, often times while supporting environmentally friendly initiatives as well. That’s a great win-win situation for the Elk Valley.” Said Kootenay East MLA Bill Bennett.
These 2 projects stem from a A $30 million injection that will go to 98 projects throughout the province to help build healthier communities and provide important amenities to support B.C. families. The Province is funding up to 80 per cent of eligible costs for projects that enhance recreation infrastructure in communities across the province. The Community Recreation Program was announced by Premier Christy Clark at the Union of B.C. Municipalities Convention in September 2011. The total value of approved projects is more than $70 million, which will create an estimated 458 direct jobs and 251 indirect jobs.
For more information on the Community Recreation program, go to:
http://www.cscd.gov.bc.ca/lgd/infra/infrastructure_grants/community_recreation_program.htm