A festive open house was held today in the Community of Tignish to celebrate renovations to the bowling facility located in the St. Simon & St. Jude Recreation Centre. The $150,000 project was approved under the Canada-Prince Edward Island Infrastructure Program, with funding provided by the Government of Canada, the Government of Prince Edward Island and St. Simon & St. Jude Recreation Centre.
Local bowling leagues, community groups and residents of Tignish have shared the use of the four lanes in the basement of the centre since the 1970s. To do so, they have depended on the dedicated presence of "pin kids" – young people who would sit on small benches above the pins and jump down to remove them or set them back up, as the game required.
Thanks to improvements carried out over the summer and fall, Tignish and area bowlers now have access to six automated lanes.
"We recognize that no one knows the needs of a community better than the people who live there, and it was the community of Tignish that lobbied for this facility," said Joe McGuire, Member of Parliament for Egmont, on behalf of the Honourable Robert G. Thibault, Minister of State for the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency (ACOA). "It is obvious that this bright and spacious facility will better serve Tignish residents and offer an added destination for visitors to the area."
The project has also created one full-time job while maintaining an existing part-time position.
"The renovations to this bowling complex are important for the overall development of the Tignish area," says Minister Shea. "This initiative was a priority for the community and will offer increased opportunities for people to participate in and enjoy community life."
Father Albin Arsenault, the centre's administrator, was also pleased with the renovations. "Many local residents have worked hard to bring about these improvements to our bowling centre. I would like to commend them for their time, efforts and dedication to the community."
The agreement to create the Canada-PEI Infrastructure Program was signed by the Government of Canada and the Government of Prince Edward Island on October 6, 2000. As a result, more than $38 million over five years will be invested in municipal infrastructure in Prince Edward Island in projects cost-shared by the Government of Canada, the Government of Prince Edward Island and local communities.
The investment priorities include "green municipal infrastructure" as well as infrastructure supporting recreation, culture and tourism.