Recreation Facility Funding for Nine Cape Breton Projects

NOTE: A list of all nine grant recipients in Cape Breton follows this release.

Upgrading the Baille Ard Nature Trail in Sydney is one of nine projects in Cape Breton announced today, July 7, to support community and physical activities for Nova Scotians.

The projects will receive grants totalling more than $348,000 through the Recreation Facility Development Program. These investments are tied to Nova Scotia’s Culture Action Plan and support the outcomes in the strategy.

“It is important that our communities remain connected and vibrant and provide facilities that help people make physical and community activity a part of their daily lives,” said Municipal Affairs Minister Derek Mombourquette, on behalf of Communities, Culture and Heritage Minister Leo Glavine. “The trail system in the Sydney area is second to none and the Baille Ard improvements will build upon the existing tranquil setting for its users.”

The project will widen and improve a 300-metre section along the Wash Brook, install a new bridge and connect the trail to the Cape Breton Regional Municipality’s active transportation system.

“This project will certainly enhance the Baille Ard Trails experience and at the same time be part of the creation of a trail network for visitors to the municipality as well as for recreational users from our community,” said David Gabriel of the Baille Ard Trails Association. “We believe that investment in this sort of infrastructure makes our community a more attractive place to visit, live and invest.”

Provincewide the government is investing a total of $1.8 million for 60 new and upgraded facilities that promote healthy living. The grants help community groups, municipalities and other not-for-profit organizations develop facilities to increase public participation in sport and physical recreation.

Projects include renovations to buildings, developing and maintaining walking trails, and modernizing and creating new fields for sport and recreation.

Following is a list of Cape Breton region grants:

• Baille Ard Trails Association, upgrades, $17,000
• Cantley Village Recreation Association in Coxheath, fully accessible multi-use green space, playground, $60,000
• Glace Bay Community Commons Society, outdoor recreation facility, $100,000
• Munroe Park, soccer facility improvements, $47,300
• Creignish working group, restoration of ball field, tennis court, playground, $36,000
• New Waterford and District Community Centre, new Zamboni, $32,000
• Cabot Snowmobile Club of Cape Breton, bridge repair, $23,000
• Lighthouse of Cape Breton in Sydney, upgrade Undercurrent Youth Centre space, $8,000
• Dominion and District Recreation Complex Society, new Zamboni, new exit doors, $25,000