(Burford) June 26, 2009/ - Burford residents will benefit from a joint federal and provincial investment of $2 million to renovate the Burford Community Centre, under the Recreational Infrastructure Canada Program and Recreation Ontario.

These programs were designed to provide a timely, targeted stimulus to the economy through investments that will spur construction activity related to existing recreational infrastructure. Beyond economic stimulus and job creation, renewing, rehabilitating and modernizing our recreational infrastructure has the additional benefit of encouraging higher levels of participation in physical activity and community building.

MP Phil McColeman and MPP Dave Levac made the announcement today at the Burford Community Centre along with Councillor John Wheat, Chair of the Parks and Recreation Committee.

“As Chair of Parks and Recreation I’m overwhelmed by this,” said Councillor Wheat.  “To be receiving this in addition to the funding of the Twin Pad Arena is just awesome.  I can’t thank the federal and provincial governments enough.”

“We’ve heard from Burford residents about the needs of their community,” said McColeman.  “This investment will stimulate the local economy, enhance local facilities and services and help foster a vibrant, dynamic community.”

“Once again, by working together with all levels of government - as citizens have come to expect - we are improving infrastructure, creating jobs and forming partnerships of mutual respect and co-operation,” said Brant MPP Dave Levac.  “The Ontario government welcomes its partners to help create jobs during this difficult economic downturn. Our communities need help to renew their infrastructure and together we’ll get that job done."

This Burford Community Centre project is one of 758 projects announced today by Minister of State (Science and Technology) Gary Goodyear, on behalf of the Honourable Tony Clement, Minister of Industry, and Ontario Minister of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs Leona Dombrowsky, on behalf of George Smitherman, Ontario Minister of Energy and Infrastructure, worth a total joint federal and provincial investment of more than $380 million.

Projects were selected on the basis of merit and construction readiness.