Walking the Lorne Street corridor will soon be easier for Kamloops residents and visitors alike, thanks to $250,000 in provincial funding through the Community Recreation Program, Minister of Community, Sport and Cultural Development Ida Chong announced.

Enhancing this key area of Kamloops to make it more pedestrian-friendly is one of 98 successful projects approved through the $30-million Community Recreation Program, first announced by Premier Christy Clark at the Union of B.C. Municipalities Convention in September 2011. Building healthier communities and providing important amenities to support B.C. families is part of Premier Clark's Families First Agenda.

Under this initiative, the Province is funding up to 80 per cent of eligible costs for projects that enhance recreation infrastructure provincewide. Projects include trails, bike paths, walkways, playgrounds and other indoor or outdoor recreation centres. Smaller and rural communities were given priority in the selection process.

The Kamloops Lorne Street Enhancement Project is part of the Making Kamloops Shine initiative. The project will make Lorne Street more walkable by providing streetscape improvements and traffic calming measures between 1st and 3rd Avenues.

Also announced today were four other Kamloops-area projects that will receive funding through the program:

• The Chase Memorial Park Wharf Rebuild Project - $365,600
• The Clearwater North Thompson Sportsplex Dressing Room Expansion - $400,000
• The Sun Peaks Community Recreation Centre Phase 1 - $400,000
• The Barriere Community Recreation Project - $238,680

The entire list of successful Community Recreation Program applicants from throughout the Province will be unveiled during the coming weeks. The total value of approved projects is more than $70 million, which will create an estimated 458 direct jobs and 251 indirect jobs.

Quotes:

Ida Chong, Minister of Community, Sport and Cultural Development -

"By increasing the availability of recreational spaces and providing opportunities for people of all ages to participate in physical activity, the program helps strengthen communities and makes them more attractive to families while building the local economy."

"Getting out and being active enables British Columbians to enjoy better health, build stronger community connections and enjoy the many amenities this great province has to offer."

Kevin Krueger, Kamloops-South Thompson MLA -

"As Canada's Tournament Capital, Kamloops aims to be one of the healthiest jurisdictions in our province - a community that supports physical activity at every level, from walking to competitive hockey."

"This project is an important part of the Making Kamloops Shine initiative, and will provide important upgrades to the Lorne Street corridor, making it more pedestrian-friendly."

Terry Lake, Kamloops-North Thompson MLA -

"The Community Recreation Program, which provides up to 80 per cent of funding for recreation infrastructure projects, helps build vibrant communities where residents can thrive."

"We know many British Columbians love to be active, and increasing the overall recreation infrastructure in this province will give people greater access to a broad range of potential activities."

Suzanne Allard Strutt, chief executive officer, BC Recreation and Parks Association -

"Few people today can dispute the benefits that recreation has on our quality of life. Recreation is essential to our health and well-being, encouraging physical activity, fostering social connections and providing enjoyment for all ages and abilities."

"Our provincial government's investment in recreation infrastructure will boost the capacity of our communities to provide access to quality recreation facilities and support active healthy living."

Learn More:

For more information on the Community Recreation Program, go to: http://www.cscd.gov.bc.ca/lgd/infra/infrastructure_grants/community_recreation_program.htm

Learn more about the BC Recreation and Parks Association at: http://www.bcrpa.bc.ca/

A backgrounder follows.

Contact:

Jeff Rud
Communications Director
Community, Sport and Cultural Development
250 208-4028

BACKGROUNDER

March 17, 2012 Ministry of Community, Sport and Cultural Development

Facts about Kamloops-area projects

The Kamloops Lorne Street Enhancement Project scope includes:

• Construction of upgraded and widened sidewalks with curb, gutter, interlocking paving stones, traffic control and lighting.
• Landscaping and planting of shade and edible street trees and bushes.
• Installation of water fountain features and irrigation.
• Ornamental fencing, picnic tables, benches and park signage.

The Chase Memorial Park Wharf Rebuild Project will rebuild a deteriorating wharf on Chase's waterfront for walkers and for access to floats for swimming, kayaking and canoeing. The project will serve a population of 2,600. Project scope includes:

• Removing existing structure and disposing of old material.
• Placing metal pilings and bracing infrastructure.
• Installing new railings, planking and signage.

The Clearwater North Thompson Sportsplex Dressing Room Expansion Project will serve a population of 9,000. The Sportsplex is an integral part of the Clearwater community, the hub of activities such as hockey, figure skating, curling and many other events. Project scope includes:

• Constructing washrooms.
• Installing overhead doors, drywall, T-bar ceiling, electric hand dryers, cabinets, vanities and HVAC system.

The Sun Peaks Community Recreation Centre (Phase 1) Project will build a multi-sport facility with the flexibility to function as a covered ice arena during the winter months, as well as an indoor field for multiple sports during the spring, summer and fall seasons.

The facility will also be used as a fair ground, trade show and entertainment venue during the months of May to November and will serve a population of up to 2,000 people in Sun Peaks and surrounding areas. Project scope includes:

• Building installation.
• Board system, electrical, lighting and HVAC installation.
• In-floor refrigeration piping.
• Construction of dressing rooms, showers, washrooms, service rooms, and public entrance and assembly area.

The Barriere Community Recreation Project will construct an addition to the Agriplex building and upgrade the curling facility. The current curling facility is old and needs upgrades to the ice-making equipment to keep the facility operating and to ensure continued curling opportunities for the community.

The Agriplex addition will see the construction of an addition to the new 2,787 square-metre (30,000 sq.-ft.) building that will house washrooms, change rooms with showers, office space and public lobby space. Telescopic bleachers will also be installed in the arena.

A completed Agriplex will enable Barriere to host large events such as the community's popular fall fair in addition to horseback riding, BMX biking, rodeo events, indoor walking and other activities. Project scope includes:

Agriplex building: Constructing an addition to house washrooms, change rooms, shower, entrance lobby, office space and installing telescopic bleachers.

Curling rink: Upgrading the ice-making equipment and minor carpet replacement.

Contact:

Jeff Rud
Communications Director
Community, Sport and Cultural Development
250 208-4028