News release

Yarmouth County Receives

Service Nova Scotia and Municipal Relations (Oct. 2000 - March 2014)

SERVICE N.S./MUNICIPAL RELATIONS--ADV--Yarmouth County Receives Funding for Two Community Infrastructure Projects


A new fire station and an outdoor sports and recreation court worth a total of $682,929 are coming soon to Yarmouth County thanks to the Canada-Nova Scotia Infrastructure Program.

Joint federal and provincial funding of $172,626 was announced today, June 7, by Robert Thibault, Minister of Fisheries and Oceans, on behalf of Gerry Byrne, Minister of State for the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency, and by Finance Minister Neil LeBlanc, on behalf of Peter Christie, Minister of Service Nova Scotia and Municipal Relations. The Municipality of the District of Argyle, the Wedgeport-Plymouth Fire Department and their partners will fund the balance upon formal acceptance of the agreement.

"Community infrastructure improvements through projects like the Wedgeport-Plymouth Fire Department and the Quinan Youth Association Muli-Purpose Court, enhance the quality of our lives and environment," said Mr. Thibault. "Projects like these are a priority of the Canada-Nova Scotia Infrastructure Program, and help the government of Canada to work with Nova Scotians to build strong, healthy and safe places to live."

The program is designed to invest in the infrastructure needs of Nova Scotia communities through the support of long-term economic growth, community infrastructure improvements and environmental enhancements, and the building of 21st century infrastructure through better technologies, new approaches, and best practices.

"By investing in projects such as the Wedgeport firehall and the Quinan multi-purpose court, we are investing in the safety of our community, as well as increasing physical activity," said Mr. LeBlanc. "Building strong and healthy communities is a priority of our government."

The Quinan Youth Association Multi-Purpose Court project will provide local access to a paved outdoor recreational court. Instead of travelling from 10 to 15 kilometres to play basketball, ball hockey or tennis, Quinan's youth will now be able to enjoy these and other outdoor activities right at home. Organizers believe the new court will help strengthen the community's partnership with its youth and make for an all-around safer environment.

"This announcement is really good news for this community," said Aldric d'Entremont, warden of the Municipality of the District of Argyle. "Thanks to this partnership through the Canada-Nova Scotia Infrastructure Program, Quinan youth will now have a safe place to gather and enjoy sports and recreation right in their own back yards."

The 3,000 residents of Wedgeport, Plymouth, Comeau Hill and Little River will be well served by the fire department project, which will replace an aging facility and amalgamate firefighting facilities for these communities. The new station will provide improved fire protection for 800 households. Emergency vehicle response time will decrease overall by 30 per cent. The facility will house six fire trucks, a meeting room and banquet facilities open to community groups. A new well and on-site sewage system also mean improved water quality and wastewater management.

"There's no question that the safety of our residents is paramount," said Clinton Saulnier, president of the Wedgeport Fire Protection Society. "This new station will allow our dedicated fire department to provide improved service."

This is one of a series of approval announcements for projects under the program, which has invested more than $155 million in 97 projects to date. Additional announcements are expected as projects undergo environmental assessment and final approval.

The $195-million, six-year Canada-Nova Scotia Infrastructure Program is administered by the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency and Service Nova Scotia and Municipal Relations. Enterprise Cape Breton Corporation is a member of the management committee. The Union of Nova Scotia Municipalities is represented on the program's management committee.