The Community of O’Leary will benefit from upgrades to its recreational fields, including a new tennis court, walking track and ball field, thanks to an investment announced today by representatives of the federal, provincial and municipal government. The new ball field will serve as one of more than 40 venues across Prince Edward Island for the 2009 Canada Games.
Mike Allen, Member of Parliament for Tobique-Mactaquac (NB), and Robert Henderson, MLA for O’Leary-Inverness, were joined by Nancy Wallace, Chairperson of the O’Leary Community Council, and Harvey McEwen from the Canada Games Host Society to announce $361,955 in funding from the Municipal Rural Infrastructure Fund for the O’Leary recreational fields.
“The Government of Canada is pleased to partner with communities on initiatives that enhance the quality of life for Islanders,” said MP Allen on behalf of Peter MacKay, Minister of National Defence and Minister of the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency. “Our investment in O’Leary’s recreational facilities will not only ensure a world class baseball venue is available to athletes participating in the 2009 Canada Games, but it will also provide social and economic benefits for years to come.” MP Allen himself represented the province of New Brunswick as a pitcher in the 1981 Canada Games.
The Community of O’Leary will construct the facilities in two phases. Phase one will include the ball field, in preparation for the 2009 Canada Games, and phase two will include the tennis court and walking track. The tennis court will also allow for other sports, such as basketball and ball hockey, and the walking track will provide a safe place for seniors and others to exercise.
“We are investing in sports infrastructure to meet today’s requirements, such as the 2009 Canada Games, while building a lasting legacy for future athletes and citizens of our province,” said Robert Henderson, on behalf of Infrastructure Minister Carolyn Bertram. “The provincial government is pleased to partner with the Municipality of O’Leary and the Government of Canada to fund this new recreation facility in O’Leary through the Municipal Rural Infrastructure Fund.”
O’Leary chairperson Nancy Wallace said, “For several years the Community of O'Leary has needed a new ball field and, with the Canada Games coming to PEI in 2009, it presented an excellent opportunity for us to apply for funding. We could not have undertaken this project without the partnership of the federal and provincial governments in conjunction with the community. This three-way split in funding has been, and still continues to be, the necessary financing for major projects especially in smaller communities such as ours.”
The organization of the Canada Games is made possible thanks to the work of the local Host Society, and the contribution and support of federal, provincial and host municipal governments, and the Canada Games Council. It is anticipated that over 4,400 athletes, coaches and managers will attend.
These facilities are being funded through the Canada-PEI Municipal Rural Infrastructure Fund (MRIF) with contributions from the Government of Canada, the Province of Prince Edward Island, and the Municipality of O’Leary. For more information about infrastructure initiatives in Prince Edward Island, visit www.infrastructure.gc.ca or www.gov.pe.ca/caa.