The Henderson Recreation Centre is one step closer to expansion thanks to $373,718 in support from the Ministry of Community, Sport and Cultural Development.
The grant, announced by Oak Bay-Gordon Head MLA Ida Chong Wednesday at the rec centre, is part of a $30-million provincewide initiative to fund smaller-scale recreation infrastructure in communities outside the Lower Mainland. It will fund a proposed 800 square foot expansion of the centre on Cedar Hill X Road, including increased fitness studio space and a dedicated stretching area.
B次元官网网址淭he only thing that saved me is this facility,B次元官网网址� said John Newman, an 80-year-old Oak Bay resident who regularly visits the centre for Take Heart Cardiac Rehabilitation, a fitness program designed for those who have had, or are at risk of having, a cardiac event.
A devout participant in Take Heart since undergoing heart surgery a year-and-a-half ago, Newman praised the centreB次元官网网址檚 ability to serve all ages in the community.
B次元官网网址�(Henderson) isnB次元官网网址檛 just for little kids or people who can walk around,B次元官网网址� he said. B次元官网网址淚tB次元官网网址檚 for people like us who have to drag ourselves here.B次元官网网址�
Mayor Nils Jensen echoed the sentiment.
B次元官网网址淚t will make a difference to those that are young and not so young,B次元官网网址� Jensen said. B次元官网网址淭hese funds will help us move forward and become more active.B次元官网网址�
The total price tag for the project is estimated at $469,300, with the remaining funds to come via the municipalityB次元官网网址檚 capital reserve.
Eight of the 98 projects green lit (from 219 applications in B.C.), fall within the Capital Regional District and total $2.4 million. Esquimalt received $400,000 toward recreation centre upgrades, Saanich was given $337,500 for improvements to Gyro Park and the City of Victoria is in line for $192,000 earmarked for outdoor fitness equipment pods. Recreation projects in Central Saanich, Highlands, Sooke and Langford were also approved.
B次元官网网址淚tB次元官网网址檚 important that we have an understanding of what youB次元官网网址檙e doing in your communities, especially in todayB次元官网网址檚 days where we have limited tax base. We have limited dollars,B次元官网网址� Chong said. B次元官网网址淭he importance of funding recreational activities is still very important.B次元官网网址�
