News release

Mainland Commons Project Receives Additional Funding

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

People in Clayton Park and surrounding areas of Halifax Regional Municipality will soon benefit from a new swimming pool and a multi-purpose centre thanks to additional funding through the Canada-Nova Scotia Infrastructure Program.

The facilities are part of the Mainland Commons recreation project, which will receive an additional $525,000 from the province of Nova Scotia and $158,000 from the government of Canada. These investments are in addition to the $2 million announced jointly by the federal and provincial governments in May 2004. The remaining costs associated with this $8-million project will be the responsibility of the municipality.

Due to a two-year extension of the Mainland Commons project, further planning to address the needs of the community is now possible.

The funding was announced today, Aug. 24, by Barry Barnet, Minister of Service Nova Scotia and Municipal Relations, and federal Fisheries and Oceans Minister Geoff Regan, on behalf Joseph McGuire, Minister of the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency.

"The province of Nova Scotia is pleased to be able to increase its support for the Mainland Commons project," said Mr. Barnet. "This is a rapidly expanding part of metro and it is in need of additional recreational facilities."

"Government of Canada investments in projects such as the Mainland Commons are working to improve the quality of life for all Nova Scotians," said Mr. Regan. "They are part of our ongoing commitment to helping communities grow and prosper."

Halifax Regional Municipality Mayor Peter Kelly said the increased support is welcome news for the municipality. "The capital region is growing by leaps and bounds and it is only fitting that the federal and provincial governments recognize the importance of investing in municipal infrastructure," said the mayor.

To date, almost $210 million has been invested in 143 projects through the program. The funding announced today represents one of the final allocations of funding under the Canada-Nova Scotia Infrastructure Program.

The 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.