Pools, soccer fields, basketball and tennis courts also eligible for upgrade and construction funding under the Harper Government's Economic Action Plan.
6 February 2009
MIRAMICHI, NB
Local hockey rinks, swimming pools and other community sites throughout Canada will be eligible to receive funding for upgrades, fix-ups and new construction thanks to the new Recreational Infrastructure Canada (RINC) Program in the Harper Government's Economic Action Plan.
"Investing in better recreation facilities will help us create local construction jobs and economic activity right away," said Prime Minister Stephen Harper who highlighted details of the plan during a stop at the Miramichi Civic Centre. "It will also help ensure that local families can continue to count on their local fields, arenas and pools for decades to come."
Under the RINC Program, municipalities, First Nations, counties, community organizations and other not-for-profit entities will be invited to apply for renewal funding. This funding can be dedicated either to the construction of new recreation facilities or the upgrading of existing sites.
The Harper Government has allocated $500 million over the next two years for eligible projects. This money will fund up to 50% of the total cost of each project, with the balance to be provided by other levels of government, community organizations and the private sector.
"Many of these recreational facilities were built to celebrate our 1967 Centennial and remain in use to this day," said the Prime Minister who is also scheduled to join participants at the Miramichi Rotary Pond Hockey Tournament. "That same big national spirit that inspired Canadians to originally build these facilities should also inspire us to re-invest in them and ensure that future generations will continue to enjoy them while living active and healthy lives."
