BY JOHN DECOSTE
Kings County Advertiser/Register
Eleven Valley communities received a financial boost last week when the province $300,000 in funding for recreation facility updates.
Kings North MLA Jim Morton made the announcement on behalf of Health and June 29 at the Kentville Recreation Centre.
“When we support organizations and recreation facilities, we support Nova Scotians in leading healthier, more active lives,” Morton said.
“We are providing $2.47 million for more than 70 projects across the province that will help families have fun while getting fit.”
Part of the provincial Recreation Facility Development Program, the funding will be used to renovate existing facilities, develop and maintain trails, build and upgrade various fields and buildings used for sport and recreation from Hants West to Clare.
Health and Wellness regional representative Mike Trinacty explained the program provides grants for up to one-third of the cost of identified projects. “The total cost of the projects announced today is $1,474,000, of which we are able to contribute $322,600.”
The Town of Kentville will receive a $75,000 grant toward the cost of improvements to the Memorial Park complex, including a children’s play area and a soccer field adjacent to the new Kings County Academy.
“We lost one of our soccer fields when the new school was built. This will help us replace it, which has been our commitment all along,” said Kentville mayor David Corkum. He expected work on the new projects could get underway as soon as this fall.
“We have various funding partners involved in the project,” he said. “Well over $125,000 raised to date, a good portion of which by the local playground committee.”
A committee spokesperson says the group has $60,000 in the bank towards the project.
Corkum stressed the playground and part of the soccer field “will be on the Superior Propane site, and yes, there are still a few more details to be worked out,” referring to the relocation of the propane tanks.
“This grant of $75,000 is greatly appreciated, and will go a long way toward the support of this project,” the mayor added.
Acadia University receives the largest grant: a total of $100,000 toward the cost of improvements to the strength and fitness area of the Acadia Arena complex and track and field facilities on Raymond Field.
“To have a nationally-known program, you need to recruit top-level athletes, and having top-level facilities is a big part of that,” Acadia’s new Director of Varsity Athletics Kevin Dickie acknowledged.
In other grants announced June 29, the Annapolis Valley Lake and Ridge Runners snowmobile club received $8,000 to help develop the Canaan Road trail as a trail connector.
The Berwick Curling Club received $5,000 to help replace a chiller: a part of the club’s ice making equipment that failed this past winter.
The Canaan Heights Neighbourhood Association received $23,000 toward the construction of a community park.
The Waterville Recreation Club received $8,000 toward the construction of a new playground at the Waterville community park.
The Town of Hantsport received $14,600 toward the installation of a new outdoor splash pad.
The town of Bridgetown received $10,000 toward the cost of improvements at the town’s Jubilee Park.
The Lawrencetown and District Swimming Pool Society received $14,000 to upgrade its outdoor swimming pool.
The Clementsport Royal Canadian Legion Branch 122 received $25,000 to upgrade its community centre.
The Weymouth Amateur Athletic Association received $10,000 to upgrade facilities at its Cricket Field Park.
