Yvonne Jones, MHA for the District of Cartwright L’Anse au Clair, says she is pleased to see communities in her district receive grants from the 2009 Community Recreation Development Grants Program announced earlier this week by the provincial government.

Ten (10) Recreation Committees in the District of L’Anse au Clair have been allocated grants ranging from $2,784.00 to $ 4,128.00 from the Department of Tourism, Culture and Recreation. ” These committees are based in the communities of Cartwright, St. Lewis, Red Bay, Pinsent’s Arm, L’Anse au Clair, Port Hope Simpson, Forteau, L’Anse au Loup, Mary’s Harbour and West St. Modest. 

“Any government support that encourages community residents, especially children, to engage in recreational activities is to be commended,” says Jones. “This type of investment not only promotes healthier living, but is important for helping to sustain rural communities as they struggle with issues of out-migration, job opportunities and preserving their overall integrity.”

Jones says she was also happy to see increases in the application-based grants provided to the committees, something she has advocated for in the past. “These increases, even minimal ones, are important to ensure these programs remain viable and the people administrating them feel an increased commitment to the program’s objectives.”