The Alberta Cricket Association is moving forward with the replacement of turf at two Victoria Park pitches, while the Alberta Schools Cricket Association will add a cricket pitch to Coronation Park thanks to the Recreational Infrastructure Canada (RInC) program, a major job-creating investment from Canada’s Economic Action Plan.
“Through the Economic Action Plan, our Government is proud to support these important projects that will not only create jobs, but will provide local residents with more recreational opportunities through the use of these pitches,” said MP Laurie Hawn, Member of Parliament for Edmonton Centre and Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of National Defence, on behalf of the Honourable Lynne Yelich, Minister of State for Western Economic Diversification.
Two cricket fields at Victoria Park will have their current stone and matting surfaces replaced with natural grass turf. Natural grass creates ideal conditions for users to further develop their cricket skills and meets the standards of top-end fields in more traditional cricket nations. The improved playing surfaces are also expected to attract national and international tournaments to the site, which will help stimulate the local economy.
"The installation of turf wickets at Victoria Park is perhaps one of the most significant developments in the history of Alberta sports. The ability to play Canada’s oldest sport at the highest level right here in our province will provide a significant boost to the local players as well as players all over the province," said Alberta Cricket Association President, Chris James.
The addition of a new cricket pitch at Coronation Park will expand the area’s recreational capacity and complement existing amenities, including a football field, running track, swimming pool, tennis courts and soccer fields. Local community members and nearby students who use the Park will now have the opportunity to develop an interest in cricket as a result of the pitch.
“With support from the Government of Canada, the Alberta Schools Cricket Association will be able to continue to introduce the sport of cricket into school curriculums in Edmonton and district,” said Arthur Christie Marathalingam, Performance Director of Alberta Schools Cricket Association.
Federal funding of $36,933 for the Alberta Cricket Association and $15,033 for the Alberta Schools Cricket Association is provided through the Recreational Infrastructure Canada (RInC) program as part of Canada’s Economic Action Plan.
The Recreational Infrastructure Canada (RInC) program will invest $500 million in recreational facilities across Canada over a two-year period. In total, Western Economic Diversification Canada (WD) has approved 718 RInC projects that will use all of the funding available in the West. These projects are helping 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.
Visit the Recreational Infrastructure Canada (RInC) program in the West, or Canada's Economic Action Plan for more information
FOR BROADCAST USE
The Government of Canada is investing a total of $51,966 to help central Edmonton strengthen its cricket infrastructure. Laurie Hawn, Member of Parliament for Edmonton Centre, on behalf of the Honourable Lynne Yelich, Minister of State for Western Economic Diversification, announced the funding under the Recreational Infrastructure Canada program that will convert two Victoria Park pitches to natural grass and add a new pitch to Coronation Park.
For more information, contact:
Donna Kinley
Regional Manager, Communications
Western Economic Diversification Canada
Telephone: (780) 495-6892
Eric Mahabir
Executive Director
Alberta Cricket Association
Telephone: (780) 435-6068
Arthur Christie Marathalingam
Performance Director
Alberta Schools Cricket Association
Telephone: (780) 438-0460
http://www.ascacricket.com/
