News release

Highland Region Receives Recreation Funding

Health and Wellness

NOTE: A list of investments awarded in the Highland region follows this release.


Nova Scotians will have more ways to stay fit and have fun, as the province invests $377,000 to improve and upgrade recreation facilities in the Highland region.

Ten grants were announced today, July 23, under the Recreation Facility Development Program. Maurice Smith, Minister of Transportation and Infrastructure Renewal, made the announcement on behalf of David Wilson, Minister of Health and Wellness.

"Sports organizations and recreation facilities are an important part of any community, and they play an important role in keeping Nova Scotians fit and active," said Mr. Smith. "Today government is making a commitment to improve many of these facilities, with an investment of over $3.1 million, to go toward 75 projects across Nova Scotia."

The grants will help to renovate facilities, develop and maintain walking trails, and build and upgrade various fields and buildings used for sport and recreation.

For the Highland Region, the grants were announced at the Positive Action for Keppoch, which received $60,000 to renovate their clubhouse and develop a trail.

"This funding is an endorsement of the effort of the Positive Action for Keppoch board and volunteers in securing a year-round recreational area in the Keppoch Basin," said John Chiasson, vice-president, Positive Action for Keppoch. "This money allows us to go forward with momentum to grow the community, build the infrastructure that stabilizes our population, encourage healthy year-round outdoor recreation and afford leadership opportunities for our youth, while bringing economic spinoffs that support local business people."

Recreation facility development grants help community groups, municipalities and other not-for-profit organizations develop facilities to increase public participation in sport and physical recreation.

Thrive! A plan for a healthier Nova Scotia sets out 34 main actions to create supportive environments for healthy eating and physical activity, such as designing new after-school programs to target junior high students living in rural and remote communities, new programs to provide opportunities for free access to sport and recreation facilities and supporting healthy food policy in public institutions, including sport and recreation settings.

Learn more and take the pledge at thrive.novascotia.ca .


Following is a list of investments in the Highland Region:

  • Municipality of the District of St. Mary's, develop school fitness centre, $95,000 over two years
  • Chedabucto Curling Club, replace dehumidifier, $10,000
  • Town of Westville, develop multi-use outdoor court, $8,000
  • Guysborough County Trails Association, renovate 56 kilometres of the Trans Canada Trail, $30,00 over three years
  • Town of Mulgrave, resurface multi-use outdoor court, $14,000
  • Lochaber Community Development Association, develop outdoor recreation components, $30,000 over three years
  • Town of New Glasgow, upgrade Westside Community Centre, $55,000 over three years
  • Antigonish Arena Commission, replace Antigonish Arena roof, $55,000 over three years
  • Stella Maris Parish Centre, Pictou, renovate community centre, $20,000
  • Positive Action for Keppoch, renovate clubhouse and develop trail, $60,000 over three years