Bridgewater YMCA To Receive $1.5 Million

SERVICE N.S./MUNICIPAL RELATIONS--Bridgewater YMCA To Receive $1.5 Million

Lunenburg County residents will soon enjoy new YMCA facilities thanks to a $1.5 million project funded in part by the Canada- Nova Scotia Infrastructure Program.

Joint federal and provincial funding of $500,000 was announced today, Nov. 26, by Carolyn Bolivar-Getson, Minister of Human Resources, on behalf of Barry Barnet, Minister of Service Nova Scotia and Municipal Relations, and by Robert Thibault, Minister of Fisheries and Oceans, and Minister Responsible for Nova Scotia, on behalf of Gerry Byrne, Minister of State for the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency.

The Lunenburg County YMCA will fund the balance of the project upon formal acceptance of the agreement.

"Municipal projects that help build strong communities and enhance local infrastructure are the priority of the Canada-Nova Scotia Infrastructure Program," said Mr. Thibault. "Through this program, the government of Canada is working with Nova Scotians to improve our quality of life through projects like the Bridgewater YMCA."

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, environmental enhancements and the building of 21st century infrastructure through better technologies, new approaches, and best practices.

"Investing in the Bridgewater YMCA is an investment in the health of our people by improving recreation facilities in our community," said Ms. Bolivar-Getson. "As our governments and communities continue to work together, we are seeing a better, healthier Nova Scotia."

The YMCA received additional provincial funding from the Nova Scotia Office of Health Promotion. Through its Recreation Facility Development Grant Program, $100,000 was provided towards the expansion of Nova Scotia Community College's Lunenburg County Campus, in order to house the YMCA facilities.

The Bridgewater YMCA construction project provides for the design and construction of a 10,000-square-foot facility. It will accommodate almost twice as many members as the current facility and will triple child care capacity from 150 to 450 children. The new facility will also accommodate programs for up to 75 seniors, and will create five full-time and five part-time jobs.

"The construction of a new YMCA facility has been a community dream for many years," said Lunenburg County YMCA co-chair Richard Nichols. "It's great to see so many organizations, levels of government and community members work together to make that dream come true."

This is one of a series of approval announcements for projects under the infrastructure program. To date, a total of 98 projects have been announced, representing an investment of more than $154 million. Additional announcements are expected as projects undergo environmental assessments 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.