Province Invests in Sport and Recreation

Sport and recreation organizations can continue to promote healthy living, improve their infrastructure, and provide more inclusive and accessible programming with a $10.1-million investment from the Province.

“Sports and recreation infrastructure is crucial to keeping our communities healthy, strong and connected,” said Timothy Halman, Minister of Environment and Climate Change and MLA for Dartmouth East, on behalf of Pat Dunn, Minister of Communities, Culture, Tourism and Heritage. “Today’s investments will shore up some of our sport infrastructure, support world-class events and create more accessible opportunities for youth to take part in sport.”

The funding includes a $3-million investment in the Banook Canoe Club, which will assist with significant infrastructure upgrades at the facility. These enhancements will make the club more accessible and allow it to continue to attract major events.

Canoe ‘22 Society will use its $1.5-million investment to upgrade the finish line tower at Lake Banook, elevating the racecourse ahead of international competitions like the 2022 ICF Canoe Sprint and Paracanoe World Championships and 2023 North American Indigenous Games.

Sport Nova Scotia will receive a $5-million investment, supporting their work to make the sport system more inclusive and accessible. This funding will provide more accessible equipment and programs for athletes with disabilities and address financial barriers to let more children and youth take part in sport and recreation.

The government is also contributing $635,000 to the Springfield Lake Recreation Centre to upgrade their baseball field. This project will improve accessibility within the facility and address increased community need for recreational opportunities.

Quotes:

“Banook Canoe Club is the oldest club in the Atlantic Division, founded in 1903, and we are approaching the 120th anniversary of Banook Canoe Club. We are excited that this investment from the Province of Nova Scotia will enable Banook Canoe Club to be more accessible, safer, functional and will help to ensure that it will be available to the community for another 120 years.”

– Kim Gaudet, Club Commodore and Board President, Banook Canoe Club

“We look forward to continuing the Canoe '22 legacy through infrastructure upgrades that will enhance our ability to host all levels of paddling competition within our province."

– Steven Gallant, Vice-Chair, Canoe '22 Society

“We are extremely grateful for this generous funding and excited for the important work it will allow us to continue to do through programs like KidSport as well as for programs for Nova Scotians with physical disabilities and other equity-deserving groups. We understand the important physical, mental and social development benefits of sports, especially for our children. It is phenomenal that we will be able to help more Nova Scotians benefit from having sports as part of their lives.”

– Jamie Ferguson, CEO, Sport Nova Scotia

“This project has been ongoing for the past five years and we are extremely thankful to the Province for their support. This will allow Springfield Lake Recreation Centre to expand their recreation programs for the betterment of the community.”

– Donna MacDonald, Manager, Springfield Lake Recreation Centre

Quick Facts:

• the 2022 ICF Canoe Sprint and Paracanoe World Championships will take place from August 3-7 in Dartmouth, and will include a dynamic race schedule and public cultural festival
• Sport Nova Scotia is made up of over 50 provincial sport organizations and represents more than 160,000 members
• Springfield Lake Recreation Centre hosts many ball leagues and tournaments at their facility, including the Maritime Championships

Additional Resources:

Banook Canoe Club website: https://banookcanoeclub.com/

Canoe ’22 website: https://canoe22.com/

Sport Nova Scotia website: https://sportnovascotia.ca/

Springfield Lake Recreation Centre website: https://www.springfieldlakerec.com/