Government of Canada Invests in East Kootenay’s Recreational Infrastructure

February 18, 2010

Invermere, B.C. – The Regional District of East Kootenay is moving forward with arena improvements thanks to the Recreational Infrastructure Canada (RInC) program, a major job-creating investment from Canada’s Economic Action Plan.

“Investing in the Eddie Mountain Arena will create jobs right here in Invermere, while helping to ensure that our community has access to a modern, accessible arena for many years to come,” said Jim Abbott, Parliamentary Secretary for the Minister of International Cooperation and Member of Parliament for Kootenay-Columbia, on behalf of the Honourable Lynne Yelich, Minister of State for Western Economic Diversification.

With this investment, the Regional District of East Kootenay (RDEK) will install a wheelchair lift and replace the floor of Eddie Mountain Arena, home to the Columbia Valley Rockies junior hockey club. The arena upgrades will extend the life of the facility, allowing users to enjoy it for years to come.

Funding of $215,000 is provided through the Recreational Infrastructure Canada (RInC) program as part of Canada’s Economic Action Plan.

“We recognize the important role the Eddie Mountain Memorial Arena plays not only in recreation, but arts and culture in the Valley,” said RDEK Board Chair David Wilks. “We are grateful for the RInC funding and look forward to construction and completion of the project this summer.”

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.
 
Visit the Recreational Infrastructure Canada (RInC) program in the West, or Canada's Economic Action Plan for more information.