Markham Funding Partnership with Canada/Ontario Provides $8.3M for Recreation Infrastructure

MARKHAM, ON — July 3, 2009 — Markham Mayor Frank Scarpitti joined Hon. Peter Kent, Minister of State of Foreign Affairs (Americas); Paul Calandra, MP for Oak Ridges-Markham; Hon. Michael Chan, Ontario Minister of Citizenship and Immigration and MPP for Markham Unionville; and Helena Jaczek, MPP for Oak Ridges-Markham, to announce that Markham has received over $5.5M in grants under the Recreational Infrastructure Canada and Recreation Ontario programs. The Town of Markham will match these grants for a combined total investment of $8.3M.

"Enhancing the quality of life in our community is a high priority for our Council and this funding will assist us in providing healthy lifestyle opportunities for residents of all ages and backgrounds," said Markham Mayor Frank Scarpitti. "Recreation and leisure opportunities help to shape and strengthen our community. This funding partnership will help us to build on Markham's great recreation infrastructure, create jobs and enrich our community."

"This is a great example of the success that can be achieved when we work together and create innovative partnerships", said Markham Councillor Erin Shapero who assisted with the soccer field partnership. "The early grass roots efforts and vision of St. Robert Catholic High School played an important role in bringing a much needed new indoor soccer facility to our community of Thornhill. It's a win for all."

The funding will be put towards the following projects:

• A joint venture project with the York Catholic District School Board to replace an existing soccer field with an artificial synthetic field and to add a bubble structure to cover the new turf
• The installation of a clubhouse and bubble-dome over four new tennis courts at the Angus Glen Community Centre
• The construction of an outdoor natural ice surface at the Markham Civic Centre, along with storage and dressing room facilities
• The Canadian Chinese Table Tennis Association will also benefit from an extensive renovation that will double the size of their existing facility and improve energy efficiency

"The Unionville Tennis Club has been a very progressive and active advocate for improved tennis facilities in Markham", said Councillor Joe Virgilio. "The new covered tennis courts at Angus Glen Community Centre reflect the hard work and advocacy of many in Markham, including the Unionville Tennis Club. We should all take pride in this announcement and the hard work by so many that resulted in funding for this new facility."

This announcement follows the successful partnership among all three levels of government on other infrastructure projects within Markham, announced on June 23, 2009, which provided $8.8M to Markham.