Significant improvements totalling more than $892,000 are underway at three key recreational infrastructure sites in the City of Summerside. The projects are cost-shared by the federal, provincial and municipal levels of government.
The details were announced today by the Honourable Gail Shea, Minister of Fisheries and Oceans, 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, the Honourable Neil LeClair, Minister of Fisheries, Aquaculture and Rural Development, and His Worship Basil Stewart, Mayor of Summerside.
“Our government’s investment through the Recreational Infrastructure Canada program is helping to improve valuable community facilities while generating additional local economic activity,” said Minister Shea. “Our support for the renewal of important community recreational infrastructure through Canada’s Economic Action Plan is helping Canadians build through a period of economic challenge.”
The projects include the replacement of the grandstand at the Queen Elizabeth Park baseball field, the installation of perimeter lighting surrounding the Eric Johnson Canada Games artificial turf field and the addition of fencing around the recreation fields located off Willow Street.
"The government of Prince Edward Island is pleased to partner with the federal government and the City of Summerside in these investments which will contribute to strengthening recreational and economic opportunities," said Mr. LeClair. "These investments are part of our commitment to the development of our One Island Community."
Mayor Basil Stewart said, “On behalf of Summerside City Council, I would like to thank both the Government of Canada and the Government of Prince Edward Island for their investment in our community’s recreation facilities. A lot
can be accomplished when the three levels of government partner together.”
Canada’s Economic Action Plan is providing $500 million over two years through the RInC program, to support the upgrading and renewal of recreational facilities in communities across Canada, and to encourage increased participation in physical activity and community building. The RInC program is delivered in Atlantic Canada by ACOA.
The provincial portion of the financing comes from the Island Community Fund, a provincially funded infrastructure program. The Government of Prince Edward Island has committed a total of $27.5 million in ICF funding for six years. For more information on funding under Island
Community Fund, visit the website at www.gov.pe.ca/fard. The Island Community Fund is just one component of the over $80 million the province is investing in infrastructure for
the Province’s One Island Community.