The rural communities of Gingolx and Topley are undertaking sports facility upgrades, thanks to the Recreational Infrastructure Canada (RInC) program, a major job-creating investment from Canada’s Economic Action Plan.

"Today’s exciting investments will not only provide these communities with improved athletic amenities, but will also create immediate jobs for local workers,” said the Honourable Jay Hill, Leader of the Government in the House of Commons and Member of Parliament for Prince George - Peace River, on behalf of the Honourable Lynne Yelich, Minister of State for Western Economic Diversification.

An investment of $774,060 towards the Nisga’a Village of Gingolx is helping to complete interior finishing at the local recreation centre. Funding will support the installation of mechanical and electrical components, such as heating, sprinklers, wiring, ventilation and air conditioning. Improvements will create significant employment opportunities in the village, while increasing recreational opportunities for residents.

“Our village is governed by the Gingolx people, and as a whole we are very excited by the nearing completion of the recreation centre,” said Nelson Clayton, Chief Councillor. “This federal funding is helping us employ 12 local community members to create a facility that will host a variety of sports and cultural events.”

A second investment of $46,391 for the Topley Community Club is revitalizing the community’s only baseball field and community recreational hall. Funding will install a backstop and fence at the baseball field, while also completing washroom accessibility upgrades, kitchen renovations, and storage room improvements at the recreation hall.

“The Topley Community Club is excited about the upgrades to our only means of recreation,” said Brenda Pask, President. “We very much appreciate the help of the Economic Action Plan.”

Total federal funding of $820,451 was provided through the Recreational Infrastructure Canada (RInC) program as part of Canada’s Economic Action Plan.

The Recreational Infrastructure Canada (RInC) program will invest $500 million in recreational facilities across Canada over a two-year period. In total, Western Economic Diversification Canada (WD) has approved 718 RInC projects that will use all of the funding available in the West. These projects are helping 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. 

Visit the Recreational Infrastructure Canada (RInC) program in the West, or Canada's Economic Action Plan for more information.

For broadcast use

The Government of Canada is celebrating an investment of $820,451 towards recreational facility upgrades in Gingolx and Topley, B.C. Minister Hill, on behalf of the Honourable Lynne Yelich, Minister of State for Western Economic Diversification, announced funding under the Recreational Infrastructure Canada program for the two projects.

For more information (media only) contact:

Jaime Burke       
Manager, Communications     
Western Economic Diversification Canada  
Telephone: 604-666-1318     

Floyde Stevens
Economic Development Officer
Nisga’a Village of Gingolx
Telephone: 250-326-4212

Brenda Pask
President
Topley Community Club
250-696-3380