15 April 2008
NDP’S Communities at Play proposal will help Hamilton
Initiative would help municipalities fund sports and recreation programs

QUEEN'S PARK—NDP Sports and Recreation Critic MPP Paul Miller (Hamilton East – Stoney Creek) says the NDP’s Communities at Play program announced today will help save recreational facilities in Hamilton.

“The government talks about health promotion and the need for physical activities, but has offered only token levels of financial support for sports and recreation programs.  We urge the McGuinty Liberals to support the Communities at Play proposal to ensure that Hamilton can keep rinks, pools, and ski hills open, and add new recreation programs,” said Miller

Ontario’s NDP today introduced the NDP’s Communities at Play program – an initiative that would provide $75 million annually to municipalities and local organizations to help with the costs of operating sports and recreation programs and improving facilities.

“In Hamilton, existing recreational facilities are aging and operational costs are increasing. Just in the ice sports alone, we need double or triple rinks for the Winona area”, said Miller.  “We also need ball diamonds, more soccer fields, and funding for other public facilities,” said Miller.

Half of Ontario’s $40-billion health budget is spent on preventable illnesses.  While the health budget grows by billions annually, the Ministry of Health Promotion has not lived up to its sport and recreation mandate.  It has done little to encourage physical activity so critical in preventing illness.

“I have been approached by Kabbadi and Cricket enthusiasts for support in their efforts to construct playing fields. The proposed Communities at Play money could provide the funding that these community organisations need. What better way to get our kids out doors, doing healthy, team-building activities,” said Miller.

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Media Contact: Paul Miller (416) 325-0707

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