KENTVILLE, NS - Consider it an investment aimed at keeping people of all ages in Kentville and surrounding communities active and healthy for years to come.
The provincial and federal governments are each contributing $86,000 for upgrades to the Credit Union Rec Complex in Kentville. Kings-Hants MP and Treasury Board President Scott Brison announced the federal support and Hants West MLA and Municipal Affairs Minister Chuck Porter announced the provincial funding on Aug. 28.
Along with the support of the Town of Kentville and the County of Kings, the not-for-profit Valley Sport and Multipurpose Facility Association will provide the balance of the funding for the overall rejuvenation project.
Credit Union Rec Complex president Matthew Schurman said they’ll be able to invest more than $300,000 in the facility thanks to the help of the various partners. The complex is now 14 years old and the current turf is past its expiry date. If it continued to deteriorate, it would run the risk of becoming a safety hazard.
“Replacing the turf, the announcement today, really goes a long way to help improving the quality of the game that is played here and the safety, health and wellness of the participants,” Schurman said.
The new turf will be installed in September. The funding will also help pay for the paving of an expanded parking lot. The complex recently received new overhead lighting, which Schurman said would improve the playability of the field and the user experience. An improved facility will attract more users. He said the next major project would be a cooling system.
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Schurman said the rec complex is one of the few facilities in the province that is debt free and it’s used for much more than playing indoor soccer. Other uses include squash, baseball, rugby, football and flying model airplanes.
“All these user groups are able to take advantage of the wide open space that we have and we’re happy to be able to continue to reinvest,” Schurman said.
Brison said usage of the facility greatly exceeds initial expectations and the affordability of soccer is one reason why it’s such a popular sport globally. He said that it’s great to see the growth of Kentville and the Annapolis Valley as a soccer centre.
“The funding today will help significantly in terms of replacing the existing turf and I see the recently expanded parking lot, which speaks to the volume of use that you’re getting at the facility,” he said.
Brison said the indoor facility is a key community hub that was established through federal, provincial, municipal and community investments. Facilities such as this play a key role in promoting active, healthy lifestyles while encouraging local economic activity. Investing in them helps make communities more livable and family friendly.
Porter said he is very familiar with the rec complex because two of his daughters played soccer there. To hear that it’s being well used came as no shock to him.
“We are pleased to partner with the federal government and the Valley Sports and Multipurpose Association to invest in this infrastructure project to help ensure we have healthy, vibrant communities in Nova Scotia,” Porter said.
Did you know?
Valley District Soccer and Credit Union Rec Complex executive director Dwight MacLeod said their district runs from West Hants to Clare. They have 4,100 participants ranging in age from children under four years old to master level players.
GO ONLINE:
For more information on the Credit Union Rec Complex, visit www.creditunionreccomplex.ca.
To pre-register for fall soccer tryouts – to take place on the brand new turf – visit www.valleyunited.ca.
