Surrey – The City of Surrey is moving forward with plans to construct an artificial turf field at Newton Athletic Park, thanks to the Recreational Infrastructure Canada (RInC) program, a major job-creating investment from Canada’s Economic Action Plan.

Nina Grewal, Member of Parliament for Fleetwood-Port Kells, on behalf of the Honourable Lynne Yelich, Minister of State for Western Economic Diversification, today announced federal funding to create jobs in Surrey.

“I’m pleased to announce that our government, through the Economic Action Plan, is providing timely support for Surrey families,” said MP Nina Grewal.  “Investing in upgrades to the Newton Athletic Park will create jobs in our community, while upgrading and improving a facility that benefits all residents.”

Federal funding of $646,667is provided through the Recreational Infrastructure Canada (RInC) program as part of Canada’s Economic Action Plan. The City of Surrey is providing funding of $1,293,333 for a total project funding of $1,940,000.

Project activities include planning and design, the installation of base gravel, lighting, an irrigation system, fencing, artificial turf, as well as surface stripping, drainage, and sub-grade preparation. This project will help meet the excess demand for field time at the existing facilities and improve local sporting opportunities.

“The funding will allow us to keep pace with growing demands for sport and recreation services within the Newton area” said Councillor Steele, Chair of Surrey’s Parks and Community Services Committee. “The announcement complements objectives of the City’s 2010 Olympic plan that aims to engage Surrey residents in keeping active and further positioning our City as a national leader in leisure and sport development”.

The Recreational Infrastructure Canada program will invest $500 million in recreational facilities across Canada over a two-year period. It will 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. A total of almost $163 million in RInC funding will be invested across the four western provinces.