So far this summer the forecast has been sun, sun, and more sun so there is no blaming the weather for not getting out and getting active. And now, thanks to a new provincial website, the 'there's nothing to do' excuse is also out the window.
The website — www.thrive.novascotia.ca — is part of the government's plan to create a healthier Nova Scotia through healthy eating and physical activity. It features 50 ways to thrive this summer from visiting one of our many outdoor gyms or splash parks to hugging your favourite person.
"We want to give Nova Scotians healthy options to make it easier to be more physically active and to eat healthier," said Robert Strang, Nova Scotia's chief public health officer.
Any and all information from climbing a wall to picking a strawberry is found on the thrive website. While there you also take the pledge toward a healthier Nova Scotia by sharing how you have helped create a healthier community and a healthier province.
With plenty of parks, lakes and pools in Bedford, Sackville and surrounding areas, many residents in our local communities are already out there doing their own thing to keep happy and healthy this summer.
On Tuesday, July 24, the province announced Nova Scotians will have more ways to stay fit and have fun, as it invests more than $867,000 to improve and upgrade recreation facilities in the Central region.
Thirty grants were announced under the Recreation Facility Development Program. Percy Paris, Minister of Economic and Rural Development and Tourism made the announcement on behalf of David Wilson, Minister of Health and Wellness.
"When we support organizations and recreation facilities, we support Nova Scotians leading healthier, more active lives," said Paris. "Government is providing more than $3.1-million toward 75 projects across the province so children, youth, and families can stay fit and have fun."
The grants will help to renovate facilities, develop and maintain walking trails, and build and upgrade various fields and buildings used for sport and recreation.
For the Central Region, the grants were announced at the Cheema Aquatic Club, Waverley, which received $100,000 for improvements and upgrades.
"Cheema Racing has had great success building Olympic athletes, as well as healthier children and a stronger community," said Yvette Hughes, Cheema commodore. "We thank the Department of Health and Wellness for recognizing this opportunity to help Cheema grow."
Recreation facility development grants help community groups, municipalities and other not-for-profit organizations develop facilities to increase public participation in sport and physical recreation.
The list of investments in the Central Region are:
-- YMCA of Greater Halifax-Dartmouth, upgrade gym, $100,000 over two years
-- Cheema Aquatic Club, club improvements, $100,000 over two years
-- Lake District Recreation Association, Lower Sackville, upgrade roof, $58,000
-- Central Spryfield School, replace playground equipment, $15,000
-- Grand Lake Oakfield Community Society, develop playground, $20,000
-- Cole Harbour Parks and Trails Association, reconstruct Salt Marsh Trail, $15,000
-- Foyer-ecole Beaubassin, Halifax, develop accessible playground, $15,000
-- Bell Park Academy, East Preston, expand accessible playground, $15,000
-- Titans Gymnastics and Trampoline, Dartmouth, install gymnastics pit, $10,000
-- Harry R. Hamilton Elementary, Middle Sackville, redevelop accessible playground, $20,000
-- Nova Scotia Off Road Riders Association, expand Miller Meadow Park, Halifax Regional Municipality, $20,000
-- Lakefront School, Tangier, upgrade playground, $15,000
-- Ash Lee Jefferson Elementary School, Fall River, replace playground, $20,000
-- Musquodoboit Trailways Association, Musquodoboit Harbour, develop trail, $35,000
-- St. Joseph's Alexander McKay Playround Project, Halifax, develop playground, $20,000
-- Sackville Rivers Association, Lower Sackville, upgrade Dennis Bicknell Trail Bridge, $10,000
-- Atlantic View Trail Association, Lawrencetown, develop trail, $25,000
-- O'Connell Drive Elementary School, Porter's Lake, develop playground, $15,000
-- Porters Lake Elementary School, develop playground, $15,000
-- Atlantic Memorial Elementary School, Prospect, replace accessible playground, $12,000
-- White Hills Residents Association, Tantallon, develop accessible park, $25,000
-- Five Islands Lake Estates Homeowners Association, Hubley, develop accessible park, $20,000
-- Woodens River Watershed Environment Organization, Timberlea, replace boardwalk, $12,000
-- Volleyball Nova Scotia, Dartmouth, build 10 volleyball courts, $100,000 over two years
-- Tennis Nova Scotia, rebuild Halifax Common Tennis Court, $80,000 over two years
-- Conrad Field, Dartmouth, install lighting at Conrad Ballfield, $40,000
-- Second Lake Regional Park Association, Lower Sackville, develop trail in Second Lake Park, $15,000
-- Lawrencetown-Cole Harbour Trail Connector Association, develop trail, $10,000
-- Southbrook Community Playground, develop park in Southbrook, Halifax Regional Municipality, $10,000.
