LAKE COWICHAN SPORTS ARENA GETS RENOVATED THANKS TO RECREATIONAL INFRASTRUCTURE FUNDING

Lake Cowichan, 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 families in the Cowichan Valley Regional District. 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.
 
“Our Government, through the Economic Action Plan, has taken concrete steps to reduce the effects of the economic slowdown on British Columbia’s communities,” said Lunney. “The renovation of the Cowichan Lake Sports Arena will not only create jobs in the community, it will also pave the way for future growth and prosperity while ensuring access to a recreational facility that will strengthen community ties for many years to come.”

With this investment, the Cowichan Valley Regional District will renovate the Cowichan Lake Sports Arena. Project work includes replacement of the roof, upgrades to mechanical systems, electrical systems, and existing dressing rooms, renovation of the concession area, and installation of a concrete floor under the curling rink. Funding will also construct a 2,573 square metre addition, which will feature four new dressing rooms, an indoor playground, recreational programming administration offices and multi-use space.

“We are absolutely thrilled that the Recreation Infrastructure Canada program is assisting us with our renovation to the Cowichan Lake Sports Arena, a project that will make an incredible difference to the residents of the Cowichan Lake area”, said Sheila McFarlane, Chair of the Cowichan Lake Recreation Commission.

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.