The Ottewell Community League will move forward with a significant upgrade to its park thanks to the Recreational Infrastructure Canada (RInC) program, a major job-creating investment from Canada’s Economic Action Plan.

Today, the Honourable Diane Ablonczy, Minister of State for Small Business and Tourism and Member of Parliament for Calgary North, on behalf of the Honourable Lynne Yelich, Minister of State for Western Economic Diversification, announced federal funding that will help enhance and further develop a vital recreational infrastructure asset in Edmonton.

“Our Government is supporting the upgrade and improvement of the Ottewell Community League Park,” said Minister of State Ablonczy. “These enhancements will encourage more residents to use the park and contribute to the health and wellness of this community, both now and into the future.”

Funding of $387,271 is provided through Western Economic Diversification Canada under the Recreational Infrastructure Canada (RInC) program.

The investment will be directed towards replacing playground and spray park equipment, as well as picnic tables, park benches, and water fountain. The project will also involve the addition of walking trails and upgrades to the basketball court, rink and group activity areas. These enhancements will revitalize the park and encourage more residents to use it for their social and recreational needs.

“Ottewell is fast approaching an important 50th anniversary and this project will be an important legacy,” said Bob Hutchison, President of the Ottewell Community League. “The reinvestment in our community has blossomed pride in the residents of our community, and that good feeling is being transferred to our families and youth who visit and use our facility everyday.”

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.

Note: This web version of the news release was amended after its release November 13th, to correct total program funding delivered by WD Canada across the four western provinces.

For more information, contact:

Donna Kinley
Manager, Communications
Western Economic Diversification Canada
Phone: (780) 495-6892
Cell: (780) 991-7432
Toll-Free Number: 1 888 338-WEST (9378)
http://www.wd.gc.ca/