CPRA Applauds Liberal Government Investment in Recreation Infrastructure Copy

The Canadian Parks and Recreation Association (CPRA) applauds the federal government’s financial investment in recreation through expanding the eligible categories of the New Building Canada Fund (NBCF) to include recreation.

The announcement is a much needed and welcomed contribution to the physical state of recreation places and spaces in communities across Canada.

The federal government announced that under the Provincial Territorial Infrastructure Component of the NBCF, five new categories would be added as eligible - this includes tourism, culture, recreation, passenger ferries services infrastructure, and civic assets and municipal buildings.

The capital funding requirements of sport and recreation infrastructure across Canada are in desperate need of additional investments. The recent release of the Canadian Infrastructure Report Card (CIRC) demonstrated the need to address sport and recreation infrastructure is acute. This change in criteria for the NBCF will help to reduce the estimated $9 billion costs to repair existing sport and recreation facilities in ‘very poor’ and ‘poor’ condition as outlined in the CIRC.

For years, CPRA has recommended funding for recreation infrastructure that provides opportunities for either new construction or refurbishment of existing facilities depending on the individual needs of the communities. In the guiding document for the sector, A Framework for Recreation, securing supportive environments for recreation is a key pillar.

“The addition of recreation infrastructure as part of the New Building Canada Fund will have an important impact in the current estimated costs of repairing recreation and sport facilities in Canada” says Dean Gibson, President of CPRA. “CPRA and our PT Members have been bringing this messaging to government for many years and we are thrilled with the leadership the federal government is taking on this critical issue.”