Update: Feds pitch in for Saanich parks
Saanich-Gulf Islands MP Gary Lunn, the Minister of State for Sport, announces government funding for upgrading local parks and for repairs to the roof of Saanich Commonwealth Place (in background).
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Updated: November 20, 2009 3:51 PM
Ottawa is pitching in to fix up some dilapidated Saanich sports courts.
The federal government’s Recreational Infrastructure Canada fund is contributing $1 million for sports facilities in 21 Saanich parks and $665,000 to help complete roof repairs at Commonwealth Place.
The project will replace the original skylight, as well as repair the parapets, flat roof and interface between the skylight and sloped metal roof.
Saanich-Gulf Islands MP Gary Lunn made the funding announcement Friday afternoon alongside Mayor Frank Leonard.
“We’ve been getting this information in front of Gary Lunn and really trying to get his attention on these projects,” Leonard said. “He became an advocate for them and has pushed their way through to approval.”
The funds will help build a new multi-use sports court at Glanford Park, replacing a rundown one. They will also be used to fix up other aging sports facilities, including the tennis courts at Cedar Hill Recreation Centre.
The leaking roof over Commonwealth pool is in “critical condition,” Leonard said. “Most people would think if a pool roof leaks, it’s not a big deal, it lands in the water anyway, (but) it is.”
All of the projects were already on Saanich’s to-do list, but the funding means they will get done faster, Leonard said.
kvass@vicnews.com
