The Town of Aurora, Newmarket Soccer Club and York Curling Club will benefit from a total of $ 2,935,398 in joint federal and provincial funding to improve community recreational infrastructure under the Recreational Infrastructure Canada program in Ontario (RInC Ontario) and Recreation Ontario (Ontario REC).

Newmarket-Aurora MP Lois Brown and Richmond Hill MPP Reza Moridi made the welcomed announcement at the Aurora Community Centre in Aurora. On hand to hear the good news was Aurora Mayor Phyllis Morris, Newmarket Mayor Tony Van Bynen, Newmarket Soccer Club President Lucille Abate and York Curling Club President John Munsie.

“Recreational facilities are essential social and athletic hubs in our communities. They bring us together as families, friends and neighbours,” said Newmarket-Aurora MP Lois Brown.  “These investments will enable us to get fit and have fun, as well as create local jobs. By investing in these types of projects, our government is investing in the health and well-being of residents in Newmarket, Aurora and all of Ontario.”

"This investment in our recreational facilities is a part of our government's broader commitment to stimulate Ontario's economy while at the same time helping to build a healthier and stronger community," said Reza Moridi, MPP Richmond Hill.  "Participation in sport, physical activity and recreation provide so many benefits to our physical, economic and social well-being," he added.

“This announcement is truly a dream come true for the members of our club, one of the busiest in all of Canada,” said John Munsie, York Curling Club President. “I'd like to thank all those involved in the approval of our grant including Lois Brown, MP for Newmarket-Aurora.”

“Through Lois's guidance and support, our indoor structure that we have actively been working on for the past three years, and a venture that previous Board members have worked on since 1973, will finally become reality this fall," said Lucille Abate, President of the Newmarket Soccer Club.  "Our membership of 5,000 including youth and senior players, along with their families, will benefit greatly from this structure made possible by this federal and provincial grant.”

“Aurora is thrilled to secure close to $1.4 million, combined provincial and federal government funding, to help fund and rejuvenate aging parks and recreation in Aurora,” said Aurora Mayor Phyllis Morris. “This funding gives Council another opportunity to review and re-visit projects that were not funded in the 2009 Capital Budget. We look forward to continued partnerships with our sports associations, naturalization groups and all levels of government to provide and maintain top-notch recreation services for our community.”

These are a few of the 758 projects announced recently by Minister of State (Science and Technology) Gary Goodyear, on behalf of the Honourable Tony Clement, Minister of Industry, and Ontario Minister of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs Leona Dombrowsky, on behalf of the Honourable George Smitherman, Ontario Minister of Energy and Infrastructure, worth a total joint federal and provincial investment of more than $ 380 million.

Approved projects were selected on the basis of merit and construction readiness.