BARRIE TO RECEIVE FUNDING FOR RECREATIONAL UPGRADES

June 29, 2009

Barrie, Ontario – MP Patrick Brown and MPP Aileen Carroll are pleased to announce that Barrie will benefit from a joint federal and provincial investment of $1,730,666.00 to upgrade and improve Eastview Arena and Barrie Community Tennis Club under the Recreational Infrastructure Canada program in Ontario (RinC Ontario) and Recreation Ontario (Ontario REC).

“Our government is proud to support recreational infrastructure, and encourage residents of Ontario to achieve higher levels of participation in physical activity.” said MP Patrick Brown.  “Investments in these projects stimulate the economy, enhance local facilities and services and foster vibrant, dynamic communities.  As a self professed hockey addict and avid tennis player I am tremendously pleased to see Eastview Arena upgraded and for the Barrie tennis Club to develop winter facilities” he added.

"Upgrading Eastview Arena and building an indoor facility for the Barrie Community Tennis Club enhances the fitness facilities in Barrie and the opportunity for our residents to stay healthy." said Aileen Carroll MPP Barrie. 

"We are absolutely delighted with the success of our application to build a tennis bubble in Barrie. This is great news for the City and for all the tennis and fitness enthusiasts here. We hope to grow interest in the sport among all ages in Barrie and now we'll have a year-round facility to help. Thank you RinC and Recreation Ontario."  Jane Suderman, VP. Barrie Community Tennis Club.

"On behalf of the City of Barrie, thank you for the recent funding from the R.I.N.C. program for our community," comments Mayor Dave Aspden.  "This will help us ensure that our community can continue to count on our local fields, arenas and pools for decades to come; such as here at the Eastview Arena."

These projects are two of those announced on June 26th by Minister of State (Science and Technology) Gary Goodyear, on behalf of the Honourable Tony Clement, Minister of Industry, and Ontario Minister of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs Leona Dombrowsky, on behalf of George Smitherman, Ontario Minister of Energy and Infrastructure, worth a total joint federal and provincial investment of more than $380 million.

These programs were designed to provide a timely, targeted stimulus to the economy through investments that will spur construction activity related to existing recreational infrastructure.  Beyond economic stimulus and job creation, renewing, rehabilitating and modernizing our recreational infrastructure has the additional benefit of encouraging higher levels of participation in physical activity and community building.

Projects were selected on the basis of merit and construction readiness.  A complete list of approved projects will be available on July 6, 2009, at www.rinc-on.ca.