July 20, 2011
Vancouver, British Columbia
Corresponding Document: Speech
Today, dignitaries representing the Government of Canada, City of Vancouver, and local community groups officially reopened Norquay Park in Vancouver, B.C.
The redesigned northern portion of the 2.23 hectare (5.5 acre) park features a rain garden which filters runoff from the new water spray park, recharging the groundwater and providing water for landscape plants during the summer. The upgrades also include a playground, sport court, Tai Chi area, pedestrian paths, benches, and art mosaics created by local artists and residents.
“The Government of Canada is proud to celebrate the completion of another successful project supported by Canada’s Economic Action Plan,” said the Honourable Lynne Yelich, Minister of State for Western Economic Diversification. “Improvements in Norquay Park will provide more modern and family-oriented recreation options for local residents.”
“This redesigned park has become wildly popular with residents and has even gotten into the realm of a destination park with people coming from as far away as Burnaby. The improvements have created a 'heart' in the park,” says Vancouver Park Board Chair Aaron Jasper. “This park also has an environmental first for the Park Board whereby it captures runoff from the water spray park and filters and reuses it in a nearby rain garden.”
Funding of $1 million was provided through the Recreational Infrastructure Canada (RInC) program towards three Vancouver parks – Grandview, Norquay and Fraserview. The City of Vancouver used a portion of this funding toward the $800,000 cost of the Norquay Park upgrades, and contributed the remaining project costs.
The Recreational Infrastructure Canada (RInC) program invested $500 million in recreational facilities across Canada over a two-year period. Visit the websites of the Recreational Infrastructure Canada (RInC) program in the West, or Canada's Economic Action Plan for more information.
Western Economic Diversification Canada works with the provinces, industry associations and communities to promote the development and diversification of the western economy, coordinates federal economic activities in the West and represents the interests of western Canadians in national decision making.
For additional information, contact:
Jerra Byrne
Director of Communications
Office of the Minister of State - Western Economic Diversification
Hon. Lynne Yelich, P.C., M.P. (Blackstrap)
Telephone: (613) 954-8097
Daria Wojnarski
Communications Coordinator
Vancouver Park Board
Telephone: (604) 257-8440
Cellular: (604) 561-6925
