Athletes in Sudbury are going to have a new competitive edge in the near future with artificial turf being installed at a local sports field.
The James Jerome Sports Complex will be receiving recreational infrastructure upgrades as a result of a $1.8 million influx of joint funding from the federal and provincial governments, as announced at a press conference Thursday morning.
Mayor John Rodriguez said the artificial turf is a necessary upgrade in order to put local teams on an even keel with teams from southern Ontario.
“This is probably the busiest playing field in the city,” he said, noting the artificial turf will change the whole environment. "We will be able to start earlier in the season with football and soccer — now we have to wait until the fields dry out in the spring — and we can go later in the season.”
Through the Recreational Infrastructure Canada program in Ontario and Recreation Ontario, the sports complex will receive $990,000 from both the federal and provincial governments to be used for the installation of the artificial turf on one of the fields, as well as site development on the remainder of the complex.
The Howard Armstrong Recreational Complex will also benefit from the government funding, with $660,000 from both levels to assist in rehabilitating the exterior wall, which is crumbling.
“Improving recreational facilities and services will encourage participation in physical activity and community building and contribute to the health of Sudburians,” said MPP Rick Bartolucci. “These projects will also provide stimulus to the local economy through investments that will spur construction activity related to recreational infrastructure.
“There is a longer-term dividend here and that's a healthier community.”
The investment will also benefit the Walden Cross-Country Fitness Club, which will receive $40,000 from each level to construct four new chalets along its trails; and YMCA Sudbury's Camp Falcona, which will receive $150,000 from each level of government to be put towards a redevelopment of the camp.
“There is an abundance of good news coming into our community and it is a very exciting time,” said Rodriguez. “These funds will allow us to move our excellent recreational programming and sports fields into a rich future of activity.”
Ted Callaghan, chair of city council's financial committee, said city council is prepared to become a one-third partner in these government stimulus projects.
“Now that we have made the decision on all the stimulus projects that are coming forward, or may come forward in the future, we as a council are prepared to fund these projects,” he said.
