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Fernie and Sparwood tap into Community Recreation Program
Organizations in Fernie and Sparwood will receive a total of $750,937 from the Ministry of Community, Sport, and Cultural Development’s Community Recreation Program to fund projects which will improve recreational infrastructure.
Kootenay East MLA Bill Bennett delivered the good news to City of Fernie and District of Sparwood officials today, March 21.
“I’m pleased with how the Community Recreation Program was designed. We’re seeing a wide variety of funding applications that all relate back to helping people get out there and fun, often times while supporting environmentally friendly initiatives as well. That’s a great win-win situation for the Elk Valley,” Bennett stated.
The funds will be split in Fernie and Sparwood.
In Fernie, the Max Turyk Soccer Field development project is receiving $350,937.
By re-aligning the existing Max Turyk field, there will be space for the construction of an additional regulation-sized soccer field. This will result in increased capacity for hosting tournaments and offer green space to community members for many casual recreational activities.
And Sparwood is getting $400,000 for the Sparwood Leisure Centre energy retrofit.
Replacing the 27-year-old heating system and gas boilers at Sparwood Leisure Centre (pictured above) will reduce GHG emissions by 163 tonnes/year and save the district approximately $49,000/year.
These savings will be invested in public engagement activities to promote active living.
The Community Recreation Program sees the province funding up to 80% of eligible costs for projects that enhance recreation infrastructure in communities across B.C.
A total of $30 million is going to 98 projects throughout the province to help build healthier communities and provide important amenities to support B.C. families.
The Community Recreation Program was announced by Premier Christy Clark at the Union of B.C. Municipalities Convention in September 2011.
The total value of approved projects is more than $70 million, which will create an estimated 458 direct jobs and 251 indirect jobs.
MLA Bennett is heading to Canal Flats tomorrow, March 22, with some more good news from the Community Recreation Program, to help the village upgrade its arena.
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