September 09, 2009
Kelowna, British Columbia
The University of British Columbia - Okanagan will be completing extensive upgrades to its sports field thanks to the Recreational Infrastructure Canada (RInC) program, a major job-creating investment from Canada’s Economic Action Plan.
Today, Ron Cannan, Member of Parliament for Kelowna-Lake Country, on behalf of the Honourable Lynne Yelich, Minister of State for Western Economic Diversification, announced federal funding for the project, which will create jobs in Kelowna.
“Our Government, through Canada’s Economic Action Plan, is creating immediate jobs and building stronger, healthier communities,” said MP Cannan. “By enhancing the sports field at the University of British Columbia – Okanagan, this project will create a year-round facility, ensuring our community has access to the essential infrastructure we need today, and in the future.”
Funding of $213,333 is provided through the Recreational Infrastructure Canada (RInC) program, part of Canada’s Economic Action Plan.
The project will add numerous permanent fixtures to the sports field, including new change rooms, showers and officials’ facility. RInC funding will also install field netting, team bleachers and covered team benches, as well as paving and drainage.
"We are grateful to Western Economic Diversification Canada for this investment in UBC Okanagan," said Doug Owram, Deputy Vice Chancellor. "We are growing quickly -- this week, our campus is welcoming more than 6,000 students, a dramatic increase from 3,500 students just four years ago. We are expanding with new buildings and other amenities for our growing population. Today's federal government investment in enhancing our new artificial-turf field will benefit our students and many groups from the Central Okanagan community who also use these facilities."
The Recreational Infrastructure Canada (RInC) 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.
For more information, visit the Recreational Infrastructure Canada (RInC) program in the West, or Canada's Economic Action Plan.
For more information, contact:
Donna Howes
Manager, Communications
Western Economic Diversification Canada
Telephone: 604-666-1318
Cell: 604-505-6616
Valerie Whitten
Director
Office of the Deputy Vice Chancellor
UBC Okanagan
Telephone: 250-807-9269
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.
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