Honourable Gail A. Shea, Minister Responsible for Recreation and Sport presented cheques to three West Prince Community projects today under the Recreation and Sport Facilities Development Program.
The Recreation and Sport Facility Development Program is designed to assist in addressing aging facilities and facility deficiencies through the planning, construction, renovation and conservation of facilities for public recreation purposes.
West Prince communities receiving funding under the program include O'Leary, Abram Village and Evangeline. This visit included the presentation of cheques for the first installments of funding for each project.
"This program was created to assist communities in meeting the needs of community recreation and sport facilities and addressing the issue of aging facilities," says Minister Shea. "It is my pleasure to present funding to the communities of O'Leary, Abram Village and Evangeline in facility upgrades. I am sure that these funds will assist in enhancing community facilities to ensure opportunities for residents to participate in sport."
The Community of O'Leary has been approved for $5,500 toward upgrades to the Maple Leaf Curling Club. Work will include a new stairwell, upgrades to the washroom facilities, window replacements, new walkways, increased ice surface area and the addition of a wheel chair ramp. The total project is valued at $22,000.
Funding of $2,830 was approved for upgrades to the Evangeline Recreation Centre. Upgrades to the centre will include a heated area for spectators and a wheel chair accessible washroom. It is anticipated that these renovations would attract increased spectators and participants to the centre. The total cost of the project is $11,319.
The third project to be approved for funding in the West Prince area is a $50,000 project of Le Counseil d'ecole Evangeline the (Evangeline School Council), funded for $12,500 under the Recreation and Sport Facilities Development Program. The project includes upgrades to the playground at the Evangeline School/Community Centre.
Addition projects will be announced in the coming days across the province. The Recreation and Sport Facilities Development Program is an initiative of the Department of Community and Cultural Affairs and administered by the Culture, Heritage, Recreation and Sport Division.