Canadian cities and towns flourish when they have community public spaces to promote social interaction and physical activity, and provide access to recreational programs and facilities. Having access to vibrant, interactive spaces is important for health and wellbeing in every corner of our country. Breathing new life into our communities also stimulates local economies, creates jobs, and improves the quality of life for Canadians.

“Strong, vibrant communities in Nova Scotia are a critical part of a robust and inclusive economy. Investing in shared public spaces like Fall River and Waverley’s sport and recreation hubs helps grow local economies, boosts tourism, and gives residents opportunities to deepen their connection to the people and places that make their communities home.”
- The Honourable Ginette Petitpas Taylor, Minister of Official Languages and Minister responsible for ACOA

“Sports and recreation have a unique ability to bring us together – strengthening connections, individual wellbeing, and community pride. We see this clearly in Waverley, where local fields, trails and waterways are the backdrop for many of life’s celebrated moments: first games, big wins, new records, and personal bests. These upgrades will give residents more opportunities to pursue personal wellness and athletic goals, and to come together to celebrate the efforts and achievements of others.”
- Darrell Samson, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minster of Veterans Affairs, Associate Minister of National Defence, and Member of Parliament for Sackville—Preston—Chezzetcook

“After founding minor baseball here decades ago with just 12 kids, we’ve grown every single year to what’s now almost 1,000 young players. We have simply run out of fields and it’s heartbreaking to turn kids away. With these two new ballfields opening next spring, we expect that for the first time in years we won’t have to turn a single child away. I already feel good about that.”
- Barry Dalrymple, Director, L.W.F. Hardball Association

“Regarding the sports park, the number one thing people have asked us for over and over again is a gathering place where groups, or even just people out walking can get out of the rain or the hot sun – an accessible place with a roof, picnic tables and benches. They’ve asked for a gathering place and that’s exactly what it’s going to be.”
- Barry Dalrymple, Director, Waverley Amateur Athletic Association

• L.W.F. Hardball Association runs minor baseball programs for over 900 youth in the Waverley-Fall River area.

• L.W.F. Hardball Association is committed to providing every athlete the opportunity to play, regardless of their skill level, age, gender, ability, or financial situation and provides free programming for youth without the financial means to pay the membership fees.

• The Waverley Amateur Athletic Association manages Waverley's Charles L. McDonald Sports Park, which is situated on 170 hectares of land that includes over seven kilometres of year-round trails.

• The Waverley Amateur Athletic Association collaborates with several community partners, including: L.W.F. and Tri-County Baseball, Halifax Nordic, Biathlon NS, Cheema Aquatic Club, Bicycle Nova Scotia, and the Waverley Community Association.

• The CCRF was launched in June 2021 and ended on March 31, 2023. The fund provided $500 million over two years to Canada’s regional development agencies (RDAs) to invest in shared and inclusive public spaces to make them safer, greener and more accessible.

• The Canada Community Revitalization Fund supported two major streams of activity:

  • adapting community spaces and assets to be more accessible and inclusive,
  • building or improving community spaces to encourage Canadians to engage in and explore their communities and regions. 

Associated links

• Canada Community Revitalization Fund in Atlantic Canada •
• L.W.F. Hardball Association
• Waverley Amateur Athletic Association/McDonald Sports Park

Marianne Blondin
Press Secretary
Office of the Minister of Official Languages and of the
Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency
Marianne.Blondin@acoa-apeca.gc.ca

Lauren Sinclair
Director of Communications
Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency
782-641-6365
Lauren.Sinclair@acoa-apeca.gc.ca

Barry Dalrymple
Director
L.W.F. Hardball Association
Waverley Amateur Athletic Association
902-860-1472
lwfbaseball@hotmail.com

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