A multi-use indoor sports complex serving northeastern Nova Scotia will be built in Stellarton, thanks to a $500,000 investment by Canada’s New Government, through the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency (ACOA)’s Innovative Communities Fund. The announcement of funding in support of this Highland District Soccer Association initiative was made today by the Honourable Peter MacKay, Minister of Foreign Affairs and Minister of ACOA.

“Canada’s New Government is getting things done for the people of northeastern Nova Scotia,” said Minister MacKay. “This investment of $500,000 will support our government’s dual efforts of promoting economic development as well as sport, fitness and healthy living among Canadians of all ages.”

Additional funding is being provided by the Province of Nova Scotia ($600,000), the Town of Stellarton ($200,000), the Municipality of Pictou County ($80,000), and the Town of New Glasgow ($47,000), the Highland District Soccer Association ($100,000), Soccer Nova Scotia ($50,000), and corporate sponsors within the region.

The 220-foot by 125-foot facility will be built on a two- and-a-half acre plot of land, to be leased from the Town of Stellarton. The complex will host year-round soccer and other field-sport training, tournaments and events, as well as conventions, trade shows, staged exhibitions and expositions that require a large open space.

“This state-of-the-art multi-use facility will bring soccer and other field sports in northeastern Nova Scotia to a new level,” said Len MacDonald, President of the Highland District Soccer Association. “Players from the five northern counties will be able to train indoors, year round, regardless of the weather.”

“The Highland Indoor Sports Complex will serve both as an anchor sports facility, and as a regional venue for large- scale events hosted by the business community,” said Joe Gennoe, Mayor of the Town of Stellarton. “There will be a lot of benefits to our communities. The broadbased support shows that we’re all on the same page.”

FOR BROADCAST USE:

A multi-use indoor sports complex serving northeastern Nova Scotia will be built in Stellarton, thanks to a $500,000 investment by Canada’s New Government through Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency (ACOA)’s Innovative Communities Fund. The Highland District Soccer Association will build a 220-foot by 125-foot multi-use facility that will host year- round training, tournaments and events for soccer and other field sports. It will also host conventions, trade shows, staged exhibitions and expositions. The funding support was announced today by the Honourable Peter MacKay, Minister of Foreign Affairs and Minister of ACOA.

--30--

Kattie Johnson ACOA Communications 902-222-4225