Hundreds of school children joined in the celebration of the Terry Fox Sports Complex Grand Opening with federal and provincial officials, and with members of Terry Fox’s family.
The Honourable Gail Shea, Minister of Fisheries and Oceans, the Honourable Ron MacKinley, Provincial Minister of Transportation and Infrastructure Renewal, and His Worship Patrick MacFadyen, Mayor of Cornwall, today joined Betty and Rolly Fox to celebrate the official opening of the Terry Fox Sports Complex, located behind Eliot River Elementary School.
“With an investment of nearly $1.2 million, our government was pleased to partner with the Town of Cornwall and the provincial government to support the development of this very impressive Terry Fox Sports Complex that honours the spirit and vision of a great national role model who continues to inspire us,” said Minister Shea on behalf of the Honourable Keith Ashfield, Minister of National Revenue, Minister of the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency (ACOA) and Minister for the Atlantic Gateway. “This new recreation facility will provide social, physical and economic benefits to the community of Cornwall for years to come.”
The multi-sport facility includes two baseball fields, four tennis courts (two of which double as outdoor basketball courts), two beach volleyball courts, a toboggan hill, access paths, a clubhouse and parking area.
“This new sports complex will be a tremendous benefit to residents in this community and across the Island, and that’s why the province chose to invest close to a million dollars in the project,” said Minister MacKinley. “It will help encourage local youth to adopt healthy, active lifestyles, and it will give this community a top of the line sports facility that will help local athletes excel in their respective disciplines.”
Located in the Town of Cornwall, this complex will be available for use by Islanders and visitors alike.
“The Town is very pleased to open this state-of-art sports facility that will provide year-round recreational opportunities that will serve not only Cornwall residents but surrounding communities for generations,” says MacFadyen. “The Town would like to thank both levels of government for providing the majority of funding for this first class sport facility. Physical activity is essential to human health and community development, and as our community grows we will now have the facilities to meet those needs.”
“Playing sports was such an important part of what Terry loved to do,” said Betty Fox, Terry’s mother. “His athletic ability allowed him to train and then run the Marathon of Hope. In 1980 Terry was so proud to win the Lou Marsh Award as Canada’s top athlete. Terry would be happy knowing that individuals of all ages will participate in various sports and face their own athletic challenges at the Cornwall Sports Complex that will carry his name.”
The Government of Canada’s combined contribution of almost $1.2 million included $997,784 from the Building Canada Fund and an additional $200,000 made available through the Canada-Prince Edward Island Gas Tax Fund. The Province of Prince Edward Island invested $996,784, and the Town of Cornwall added $796,783.
To learn more information about the complex or to book field or court time, please contact Kim Meunier 628-6260 ext 225.