Seventeen communities across Prince Edward Island will receive more than $1.9 million in funding to create and upgrade sport facilities, thanks to the Recreation and Sport Facilities Development Program. The approved initiatives were announced Monday by the Honourable Gail A. Shea, Minister Responsible for Sport and Recreation.
"I am pleased to announce funding for 17 projects which will enhance recreation and sport facilities in communities across the province," says Gail Shea. "Sport and recreation significantly increase our quality of life and our overall health and well-being making it so important that we support such initiatives in our Island communities."
The seventeen approved projects include funding for life cycle planning for the North Star Arena and Eastern Kings Sports Plex with a cost to the fund of $6,000. The O'Leary Community Sports Centre which will also undergo life cycle planning and upgrading will receive $13,000. Life cycle planning involves a facilities audit followed by the development of strategies to provide the required resources for repair retrofit and improvement projects.
The majority of approved projects involve major upgrades to recreation and sport facilities across the province, totalling more than $144,000. Major upgrades will include ice plant repairs by the Kensington and Areas Recreation Association; upgrading facilities by the Island Horse Council; park upgrades in the City of Summerside; ballfield upgrades by the Cornwall and Area Minor Ball Association; upgrades to the Town of Cornwall Community Park; Arena upgrades by the Community Welfare League in Montague and by the Community of Morell; upgrades to the St. Edwards Youth Centre; and condenser upgrades to the Tignish Centennial Arena.
New Construction projects include a $12,500 contribution toward a new park and playground for the Englewood Home and School; a $1.5 million contribution toward the Charlottetown rink and pool; a $20,000 contribution for a new club house for the Stratford Soccer Club; $240,000 for a multipurpose community centre in the Town of Stratford; and $2,000 for playground equipment at the Donagh Regional School Playground.
"The Recreation and Sport Facility Development Fund is designed to address the needs of aging facilities and facility deficiencies through proper planning, construction, renovations and conservation," says Minister Shea. "The funding from this initiative will help communities enhance sport and recreational facilities and opportunities for all Islanders."
The Recreation and Sport Facilities Development Program is a five-year program with $2 million available in fiscal year 2001-2002 and $1 million annually for the duration of the program.
Under the program, three funding categories have been identified – Life Cycle Planning with a maximum contribution of 50 per cent of the cost to a maximum of $3,000; Major Upgrades, with a maximum contribution of 25 per cent of the cost to a maximum of $50,000; and New Facility Construction. New Facility Construction is broken down further into several categories – arenas can be funded up to $500,000; Aquatic Facilities up to $1 million; and other new constructions such as playgrounds, ballfields, sport fields and community trails, up to a maximum of 20 per cent of the capital cost.