LADYSMITH WINS BIG WITH RECREATIONAL INFRASTRUCTURE FUNDING

Ladysmith, British Columbia – Dr. James Lunney, Member of Parliament for Nanaimo-Alberni, on behalf of the Honourable Lynne Yelich, Minister of State for Western Economic Diversification, announced today federal funding of $1,000,000 to strengthen economic and physical fitness opportunities for the Town of Ladysmith. Funding for this investment is being provided under the Recreational Infrastructure Canada (RInC) program, a major job creating investment from Canada’s Economic Action Plan.

“Today’s announcement is another exciting example of our Government’s commitment to supporting Vancouver Island families,” said Lunney. “This project will create jobs, while ensuring access to a recreational facility that will strengthen the community for years to come.”

The investment will help the Town of Ladysmith construct a regulation-sized, fully-lit, multi-purpose artificial turf sports field. In addition this complex will include two regulation-sized softball fields, a clubhouse, washrooms, children’s play area, exercise track and parking lot. The new facility will meet local demand, reduce maintenance costs and provide the community with its first regulation-sized artificial turf field.

“I cannot overstate the value of this gift from the federal government to our community. This site, commonly known as Lot 108, has been our ‘field of dreams’ since the mid-1990s,” said Mayor Rob Hutchins.  “These new funds will make our dreams a reality and provide an exceptional facility for our sports community.”

The Recreational Infrastructure Canada (RInC) program will invest $500 million in recreational facilities across Canada over a two-year period. It will provide a temporary economic stimulus that will help reduce the impacts of the global recession while renewing, upgrading and expanding recreational infrastructure in Canadian communities.  A total of almost $153 million in RInC funding will be invested across the four western provinces.
 
Visit the Recreational Infrastructure Canada (RInC) program in the West, or Canada's Economic Action Plan for more information. www.actionplan.gc.ca.