[Ottawa] – Leon Benoit, Member of Parliament for Vegreville-Wainwright, on behalf of the Honourable Lynne Yelich, Minister of State for Western Economic Diversification, announced today federal funding to strengthen economic opportunities in Tofield. Funding for this investment is being provided under the Recreational Infrastructure Canada (RInC) program, a major job creating investment from Canada’s Economic Action Plan.

“I’m pleased to announce our Government’s support for the Tofield arena 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 $360,500 is being provided through Western Economic Diversification under the Recreational Infrastructure Canada (RInC) program towards a 4,000 square foot addition to Tofield’s existing arena.  The addition will include separate, male and female dressing rooms as well as meeting room space.  This improvement will encourage healthy lifestyles and engage both residents of Tofield and visitors to participate in the community’s recreational resources. 

“Community infrastructure is an important part of our future, and facilities like this one will be the key to meeting the needs of Albertans now and in the future,” said Premier Ed Stelmach, MLA for Fort Saskatchewan-Vegreville.

“We are pleased to receive this funding,” said President of the Tofield Agricultural Society Kai Kristensen. “The Town of Tofield and surrounding area population is growing and the demands of this population growth are directing the need to add to existing facilities to meet current and future needs.  This funding will go a long way in maximizing the use of our facility and increasing our usability and capacity of the facility all year long.  With the financial contribution and partnership of Tofield Minor Hockey, Tofield Senior Men’s Team (Tofield Satellites), Town of Tofield, Beaver County, Province of Alberta, and the Federal Government we can now provide one centralized facility that allows the opportunity to provide a service at maximum cost effectiveness and viability.”

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. A total of almost $163 million in RInC funding will be invested across the four western provinces.

RInC is part of Canada’s Economic Action Plan, the Government of Canada’s multi-faceted stimulus plan that will ensure a quick recovery from the current economic downturn. Western Economic Diversification Canada is delivering the initiative in the four western provinces.

For information on Canada’s Economic Action Plan, please visit www.actionplan.gc.ca.