Vermilion, Alberta – The Town of Vermilion will be able to move forward with the Vermilion Recreation Centre upgrade thanks to the Recreational Infrastructure Canada (RInC) program, a major job creating investment from Canada’s Economic Action Plan.
Today, Leon Benoit, Member of Parliament for Vegreville-Wainwright, on behalf of the Honourable Lynne Yelich, Minister of State for Western Economic Diversification, announced federal funding for the Vermilion Recreation Centre that will help improve a valuable community asset.

“I’m pleased to announce our Government’s support for the Vermilion Recreation Centre upgrade,” said MP Benoit. “Investments such as this will help put Canadians to work, encourage greater participation in physical activity and use of recreational facilities, and ensure that communities across the West have access to an array of recreational options we need today and in the future.”

Funding of $388,333 is provided through Western Economic Diversification under the Recreational Infrastructure Canada (RInC) program.

“We are grateful to receive funding from the federal government,” said Bruce Marriott, Mayor of the Town of Vermilion. “It will really help us showcase our regional centre.”
The federal funding will help the Town of Vermilion upgrade and renovate the recreation centre by repaving the parking lot, replacing the arena flooring, perimeter boards, surface lighting, ice condenser plant, low emission ceiling, and mechanical units. These renovations will benefit the environment and users, including the Vermilion Agricultural Society, Vermilion Curling Club, and hockey teams, by providing an energy-efficient facility and updated equipment.

“The upgrades to the parking lot will help keep dust down and make the facility more accessible for those in strollers and wheelchairs,” said Randy Lamport, President of the Vermilion Agricultural Society. “This funding will make a great difference to our building.”
“The RInC funding is greatly appreciated and the Vermilion Curling Club will put the money to good use,” said Derek Westman, President of the Vermilion Curling Club.

The Recreational Infrastructure Canada (RInC) program, is part of Canada’s Economic Action Plan. RInC 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.

For more information on the Recreational Infrastructure Canada program in the West, please visit: www.wd-deo.gc.ca For information on Canada’s Economic Action Plan, please visit www.actionplan.gc.ca.