Projects in the tri-county region were on the list of recipients as the province announced funding to develop and improve sport and recreation facilities across Nova Scotia.
About $1.5 million covering more than 40 projects was announced for the coming year, including $33,333 for Yarmouth Recreation and $50,100 for the Shelburne County Arena Association.
The grant to Yarmouth Recreation will be used for the Milo Boat Club. The funding will go towards upgrading the club’s lower level, said Frank Grant, director of Yarmouth Recreation. It will include office, storage and washroom work, he said, “with a focus on accessibility.”
The funding from the province will cover a third of the cost of the project, with the Town of Yarmouth and Municipality of Yarmouth covering the other two-thirds.
The boat club in the north end of town is used a lot, Grant said.
“It’s a very busy spot, especially in the summertime,” he said, “but once the lifeguards are gone and all the lessons and the dragon boating and rentals are done, basically the building transforms more into the hall upstairs for aerobics and fitness classes, receptions, birthday parties, meetings and that sort of thing, so it’s a popular spot.”
For the Shelburne County Arena Association – recipients of $50,100 in funding – the money will go towards upgrading the compressors. This is part of a broader effort that has been made over the past decade or so to upgrade the arena.
Community groups, municipal units and other not-for-profit organizations are eligible to apply for funding from Nova Scotia’s recreational facility development grant program for projects that will develop and improve facilities to increase public participation in sport and physical recreation.
“Investments in our sport and rec facilities are investments in communities that help people of all ages maintain an active, healthy lifestyle,” said Energy and Mines Minister Derek Mombourquette, on behalf of Communities, Culture and Heritage Minister Leo Glavine. “Quality recreation spaces help create vibrant and connected communities where Nova Scotians can raise healthy families.”
