News release

Halifax County Shares in ACCESS-ability Funding

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

SERVICE N.S./MUNICIPAL RELATIONS--Halifax County Shares in ACCESS-ability Funding


Seven community groups in Halifax County will receive a total of more than $46,000 to help make their facilities more accessible to persons with disabilities. The projects include installing wider doorways, wheelchair accessible washrooms and building ramps.

The Halifax County projects are among 41 projects worth a total of $260,000 announced today, May 23, by the Nova Scotia government under the Community ACCESS-ability program. The program helps community groups make public buildings and other facilities more accessible for Nova Scotians with disabilities.

This brings the number of approved projects to 181 and the total investment to about $1.1 million since the program was announced in May 2000.

"These projects are vital to enable Nova Scotians with disabilities to fully participate in their communities," said Peter Christie, Minister of Service Nova Scotia and Municipal Relations. "The community organizations we are supporting are helping to make Nova Scotia a more inclusive province and we are proud to work with them."

The Musquodoboit Harbour Volunteer Fire Department Ladies Auxiliary will receive $10,000 to install a wheelchair lift at the fire hall.

"This project will open access to the fire hall for more of our community," said Audrey Williams, president of the auxiliary. "We take great pride in serving our community, and this project will help us extend that service to more seniors and residents with disabilities."

Community ACCESS-ability helps municipalities and non-profit organizations to make public buildings and facilities accessible to all Nova Scotians. Wheelchair ramps and lifts, accessible washrooms and automatic doors are the types of projects supported by Community ACCESS-ability in community halls, recreational facilities, municipal offices and other locations across the province.

Under the program, the province contributes $2 for every dollar raised by the project sponsor. Donations of labour and materials can be included in the sponsor's share, making it easier for municipalities and community organizations to raise their portion of the project costs.

The projects approved in Halifax County are:

  • Kiwanis Park, Cole Harbour: $4,365 (accessible swimming dock)
  • Dartmouth Sportsplex, Dartmouth: $5,840 (automatic doors)
  • St. John's Anglican Church Hall, Westphal: $1,831 (ramp)
  • Fairview United Church Hall, Halifax: $10,000 (lift)
  • Harbour Lites New Horizon Club, Musquodoboit Harbour: $5,591 (ramp, washroom)
  • Musquodoboit Harbour Volunteer Fire Hall, Musquodoboit Harbour: $10,000 (lift)
  • West Chezzetcook Museum/Community Centre, West Chezzetcook: $9,423 (washroom)

NOTE: Questions about specific projects should be directed to the appropriate organization.