(Brantford) July 3, 2009 - The Grand River Conservation Authority will be upgrading facilities at Brant Park thanks to a joint federal and provincial investment of $200,000.   The announcement was made today by Brant MP Phil McColeman, Brant MPP Dave Levac and Grand River Conservation Authority Chairman Allan Dale.

“The recreational opportunities provided by the GRCA are very important to the citizens of Brantford and Brant County,” said Paul Emerson, Chief Administrative Officer of the GRCA.  “This Infrastructure funding will help maintain the quality of these facilities.”

The funding is being made available through the Recreational Infrastructure Canada Program and Recreation Ontario.  The programs are designed to provide 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.
"This is wonderful news for the Grand River Conservation Authority and the Brant economy, said MPP Dave Levac.” We're creating jobs by joining forces between all levels of government, exactly what the residents of Brant have asked of us."
“Families have been enjoying Brant Park for generations, it’s an important part of this community,” said MP Phil McColeman.  “Our government is proud to support recreational infrastructure.”

The Brant Park project is one of 758 projects across Ontario worth a total joint federal and provincial investment of more than $380 million.  Projects were selected on the basis of merit and construction readiness.