PORT ELGIN, N.B. – Port Elgin’s youth will soon have a few new play structures to enjoy.
Thanks to a whole lot of fundraising done by the Port Elgin Regional Home and School Association over the past year, as well as a recent financial boost from the provincial government, a new playground is set to be installed in the village.
Bernard LeBlanc, for Memramcook-Tantramar, said the province is pleased to have partnered with the home and school association on this “much-needed” community project.
“I like to help out the small communities that need it most, that don’t have big budgets to work with.”
He said Port Elgin is a very active volunteer community that is working hard to build the village up again, despite several closures and loss of services in recent years. With construction of a new fire hall ongoing and a plan being proposed to get the public library reopened in a new location, LeBlanc said the village is moving in the right direction and he wants to see that continue.
“They are working on all those projects to make their community better,” he said.
The playground will be located on the Port Elgin Regional School property, where LeBlanc said a play area was badly needed. He said the playground can be used during both school and after-hours.
“It’s very positive,” he said, noting the importance of encouraging residents and children to become more physically active.
The provincial government’s investment came through the Regional Development Corporation’s Family and Youth Capital Assistance Program. This FYCAP grant enables community groups, non-profit organizations, local service districts and municipalities to obtain funding for youth and family-related projects such as playgrounds, sports and recreational facilities, community centres and equipment.
The MLA said the home and school association was required to pitch in half of the eligible costs for the project, which came in at just over $20,000, while the FYCAP grant will pay for the remaining half.
