News release

Province Invests in New Port Bickerton Community Centre

Economic and Rural Development (Jan. 2009 - Jan. 2011)

The province is supporting a community effort that will enhance social and recreational activities and create a new home for the volunteer fire department in Port Bickerton.

The Department of Economic and Rural Development, through the Community Development Fund, will invest $66,939 to support the Port Bickerton Community Centre Club and Seashore Volunteer Fire Department.

"This project is a wonderful example of a sustainable initiative that will benefit the Port Bickerton area for years to come," said MLA Jim Boudreau, on behalf of Economic and Rural Development Minister Percy Paris, at the announcement today, Aug. 12. "By combining the two facilities, the centre will be more cost effective and its services will be more accessible to the community."

The current community centre and the volunteer fire station are in need of major repairs. The new facility will provide enhanced social and recreational activities, as well as health programs and services. The community will fund its portion of the project through the sale of the buildings and land.

"We were delighted to receive funding from the province enabling us to move forward with this exciting project," said Keith Horton, president of the Seashore Volunteer Fire Department. "This new building will be an asset to the community and will help promote the health and vitality of our residents."

The Community Development Fund assists regional areas and rural communities with local planning and entrepreneurship. It helps to develop co-operatives and projects to ensure sustainable communities across Nova Scotia. Last year, projects totaled more than $1.4 million.