CHARLOTTETOWN (PE) – NOVEMBER 8, 2010 – Students at Lucy Maud Montgomery School and Mount Stewart Consolidated School are enjoying new playground equipment, and a new playground structure will soon be constructed at Carrefour de l’Île-Saint-Jean thanks to a combined investment of $202,696 by the Government of Canada, the Province of Prince Edward Island and local organizations.
The Honourable Keith Ashfield, Minister of National Revenue, Minister of the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency (ACOA) and Minister for the Atlantic Gateway, along with the Honourable Neil LeClair, Minister of Fisheries, Aquaculture and Rural Development, made the announcement today.
“Our government knows the investment made to improve these local playgrounds reflects the importance these facilities have on the community’s quality of life,” said Minister Ashfield. “In supporting these projects through Canada’s Economic Action Plan, we are ensuring Canadians have continued access to valuable community recreational facilities while generating additional local economic activity.” "The provision of new playground facilities will help to promote more activity and a healthy lifestyle for students," said Mr. LeClair. "This reflects the priority of the provincial government to modernize educational facilities for students, including those living in rural communities."
Canada’s Economic Action Plan is providing $500 million over two years through the RInC program, to support the upgrading and renewal of recreational facilities in communities across Canada, and to encourage increased participation in physical activity and community building. The RInC program is delivered in Atlantic Canada by ACOA. The provincial portion of the financing comes from the Island Community Fund, a provincially funded infrastructure program. The Government of Prince Edward Island has committed a total of $27.5 million in ICF funding for six years. For more information on funding under Island Community Fund, visit the website at www.gov.pe.ca/fard. The Island Community Fund is just one component of the over $80 million the province is investing in infrastructure for the Province’s One Island Community. FOR BROADCAST USE:
Federal Minister Keith Ashfield, Provincial Minister Neil LeClair, and local representatives announced a combined investment of more than $202,696 for new playground equipment at Lucy Maud Montgomery School, Mount Stewart Consolidated School and Carrefour de l’Île-Saint-Jean.
These investments are made possible under the Government of Canada’s Recreational Infrastructure Canada (RInC) Program and the Province’s Island Community Fund (ICF) and local fundraising.
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INFORMATION:
Cindy Roy
ACOA PEI & Tourism
(902) 566-7569
Wayne MacKinnon
PEI Dept. of Fisheries, Aquaculture, and Rural Development
(902) 368-4888
BACKGROUNDER:
Lucy Maud Montgomery Playground Enhancements
Total project cost: $50,000
Government of Canada contribution: $16,500
Province of Prince Edward Island: $21,000 (ICF)
Lucy Maud Montgomery Home and School Association: $12,500
Mount Stewart Consolidated Playground Enhancements
Total project cost: $81,500
Government of Canada contribution: $16,500
Province of Prince Edward Island: $37,500 (ICF) and $7,500 (Sport and Recreation Facility Development)
Mount Stewart Home and School Association: $20,000
Carrefour de l’Île-Saint-Jean Playground Enhancements
Total Project Cost: $71,196
Government of Canada contribution: $16, 500
Province of Prince Edward Island: $ 20,000 and $7,500
(Sport and Recreation Facility Development)
Carrefour de l’Île-Saint-Jean: $27,196