Saint John residents and visitors received good news today as the Government of Canada announced more than $300,000 for upgrades to the City’s popular
Rockwood Park. The announcement was made by MP Rodney Weston on behalf of the Honourable Keith Ashfield, Minister of National Revenue, Minister of the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency, and Minister for the Atlantic Gateway.

“This government’s Economic Action Plan is ensuring that residents of communities like Saint John benefit from stimulus funds through improved recreational and community facilities,” said Rodney Weston, MP for Saint John. “Our investment of more than $300,000 in Rockwood Park will significantly revitalize this Saint John landmark, while at the same time create jobs and help reduce the effects of the economic slowdown.”

Through ACOA’s Recreational Infrastructure Canada Fund (RInC), the Government is investing $302,201 in the City of Saint John’s Rockwood Park. The project includes the construction of multi-purpose trails, and improvements to the existing green spaces in the park including walkways, stone entry gates, trees and grass turf. The City of
Saint John, along with its partner organizations, is investing up to $3,229,323 in improvements to the Park.

“Rockwood Park is a gem, and these improvements make the park even more appealing for visitors,” said Saint John Mayor Ivan Court. “The funding from ACOA moves us one step closer to finishing this project, which will greatly improve the entrance to the park and the trails inside.”

Canada's Economic Action Plan is providing $500 million over two years for the RInC program to support the upgrading and renewal of recreational facilities in communities across the country. RInC is delivered in Atlantic Canada by ACOA. Projects are selected on the basis of merit and construction readiness, and must be completed before March 31, 2011

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

FOR BROADCAST USE:

Visitors and residents of Saint John received good news today, as the Government of Canada announced more than $300,000 in upgrades to Rockwood Park.
MP Rodney Weston and Saint John City Councillor Bruce Court were on hand today to announce funding for improvements to this popular city landmark.

Under the Recreational Infrastructure Canada Fund (RInC), the Government is providing $302,201 to updgrade and improve the trails and green space in the park. The City of Saint John is providing up to $3.2 million in this initiative.

-30-

INFORMATION:

Erin Filliter
Director of Communications 
Office of the Minister of National Revenue, 
Minister of the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency, 
and Minister for the Atlantic Gateway
613-941-7241

Sharon Stanford-Rutter
Senior Communications Officer 
ACOA NB	
506-451-2677

Leah Fitzgerald
City of Saint John 
506-648-3714