People of all ages will enjoy increased fitness, child-care and specialized programming opportunities at the popular Henderson Recreation Centre in Oak Bay, thanks to a $373,718 provincial investment through the Community Recreation Program, Minister of Community, Sport and Cultural Development Ida Chong announced.

As one of Recreation Oak Bay's facilities, the Henderson Recreation Centre has been a hub of community activity since 1972. Given that many programs are operating at capacity, the 72.5-square-metre (780-square foot) expansion and additional upgrades will allow for increased participation, enhanced programming and more physically active residents.

Under the Community Recreation Program, 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.

Also announced today were eight other southern Vancouver Island projects that will receive funding through the program:

• Saanich: The Cadboro-Gyro Park Project will develop an accessible playground at Gyro Park - $337,500
• Central Saanich: The Centennial Park Revitalization Project will redevelop Centennial Park and add a series of new amenities to better serve the community - $300,000
• Highlands: The West Shore Parks and Recreation Field and Trail Accessibility Enhancement Project will upgrade a recreation field and enhance a 2.8-km trail surface - $201,896
• Langford: The Glen Lake Beach Park Project will upgrade a number of amenities at the park and address site drainage issues - $384,000
• Sooke: The Grant Road Connector Multi-Use Trail Project will encourage walking, cycling and jogging for residents of all ages, promoting physical activity and reducing greenhouse gas emissions - $250,000
• Cowichan Valley: The Bright Angel Park Recreation Rejuvenation Project will upgrade recreation facilities at Bright Angel Park and make them more accessible - $400,000
• Victoria: The City of Victoria Outdoor Fitness Equipment Pods Project will introduce outdoor fitness equipment "pods" in three parks and support them with bike rack infrastructure - $192,000
• Esquimalt: The Esquimalt Recreation Centre Upgrades Project will expand the fitness area and provide an additional space for community-centred programming - $400,000

Community Recreation Program recipients from throughout the Province will be announced 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.

Quote:

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

"Total project funding through the Community Recreation Program for southern Vancouver Island represents more than $2.8 million. That's a significant investment in our region, in the health of our residents, and in building more robust communities with better amenities and more jobs. Programs like this can have a profound impact on communities, well beyond what we see on the surface."

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/

Contact:

Gillian Rhodes
Communications Manager
Community, Sport and Cultural Development
250 888-1462