August 21, 2009
Garden Bay, British Columbia
John Weston, Member of Parliament for West Vancouver--Sunshine Coast--Sea to Sky Country, on behalf of the Honourable Lynne Yelich, Minister of State for Western Economic Diversification, announced Government of Canada support to help the Harbour Authority of Pender Harbour strengthen economic opportunities on the Sunshine Coast, and the Corporation of the District of Sechelt to upgrade local sports infrastructure.
"I'm delighted to announce our Government's support for these two Sunshine Coast initiatives," said MP Weston. "At a time of global economic challenge, investments such as these are creating and protecting jobs, attracting new economic opportunities, and building the foundation for long-term growth and prosperity."
Through Community Adjustment Funding of $80,000, the Harbour Authority of Pender Harbour will expand the existing dock at Hospital Bay by an additional 125 feet, adjacent to the communities of Garden Bay/Madeira Park on the Sunshine Coast. Work on new floats will begin in August, with the dock being completed by November. Expansion of the docking infrastructure will enhance tourism opportunities by providing much needed mooring space for private water vessels of various sizes. This will create immediate jobs through the construction of the dock, and attract more tourists to visit and stay in the area, increasing local tourism spending.
"We are very pleased to receive this funding," said Frank Mauro, President, Harbour Authority of Pender Harbour. "With this funding, we will expand the dock at Hospital Bay, ensuring that additional moorage is available to local residents and to attract more tourists."
The second project announced today is receiving $6,000 in Recreational Infrastructure Canada Program (RInC) funding. The Corporation of the District of Sechelt will restore the Hackett Park tennis courts, the only public tennis courts in the community. Activities to refurbish the courts include court resurfacing, the construction and installation of a new practice wall and picnic and seating facilities. The refurbished courts will provide residents opportunities to stay physically active and lead healthy lives within their own community.
"In 2008, the courts were named "L and J Brown Courts", in memory of two members of the local tennis community. This upgrading project will help ensure theses facilities can be used and enjoyed for years to come," said Darren Inkster, Mayor of Sechelt.
The Community Adjustment Fund is a two-year, $1-billion investment in local economies throughout Canada to create jobs and maintain employment in our communities.
The Recreational Infrastructure Canada program will invest $500 million in recreational facilities across Canada over a two-year period. It will provide a temporary economic stimulus that will help reduce the impacts of the global recession while renewing, upgrading and expanding recreational infrastructure in Canadian communities.
To learn more, please visit the Community Adjustment Fund (CAF), The Recreational Infrastructre Canada (RInC) program or Canada's Economic Action Plan.
For additional information, contact:
Donna Howes
Manager, Communications
Western Economic Diversification Canada
Telephone: 604-666-1318
Cell: 604-505-6616
Harbour Authority of Pender Harbour
Frank Mauro, Chair
Tel: 1-604-883-2234
Connie Jordison
Coordinator, Council and Community Relations
District of Sechelt
Ph: 1-604-885-1986
WD Toll-Free Number: 1 888 338-WEST (9378)
Teletypewriter (TTY): 1 877 303-3388
Website: WD is online at www.wd-deo.gc.ca.
Subscribe to news releases and keep up-to-date on the latest from WD.
