Province Funds YMCA Infrastructure, Equipment Upgrades

The YMCA Dartmouth Centre will complete renovations to its community pool and wellness centre thanks to $153,000 in provincial funding.

Barry Barnet, Minister of Health Promotion and Protection, announced the provincial investment today, Aug. 7, in Dartmouth.

"We are very proud to assist the YMCA of Greater Halifax/Dartmouth in its ongoing effort to provide quality recreational facilities for the people of HRM," said Mr. Barnet. "The YMCA is a true partner in our efforts to make Nova Scotia the healthiest and safest province in Canada."

The investment is from the province's B-FIT program and will support infrastructure and equipment upgrades to the community pool and health and wellness centre at the NSCC Akerley Campus in Dartmouth.

"We are so pleased to be able to upgrade these facilities and increase the number of people who can access our health and wellness programs," said Bette Watson-Borg, president and CEO of the YMCA of Greater Halifax/Dartmouth. "It is a magical thing to see what can come out of affordable access to a well-maintained swimming pool and community centre."

The YMCA of Greater Halifax/Dartmouth and the Nova Scotia Community College are working to upgrade the YMCA Community Centre facility.

"We are delighted to be partnering with the YMCA and the Department of Health Promotion and Protection to upgrade the swimming pool and recreational facilities at the Akerley campus," says Joan McArthur-Blair, president of NSCC. "These wellness facilities serve not only the students and staff of the college, but also the greater community in Dartmouth and surrounding areas."

The total cost of the project is $460,000.

Nova Scotia's B-FIT program was introduced in 2007 and will invest $50 million over 10 years in the construction of sport and recreation infrastructure. This is in addition to the $3 million invested annually in recreation facility development grants.

B-FIT helps not-for-profit community groups and municipalities develop facilities to increase public participation in sport and physical recreation.