Ottawa invests more than $2M in Yukon, N.W.T., recreation facilities

The federal government will spend almost $3 million on recreational facilities in Yukon and in the Northwest Territories.

Yukon’s Member of Parliament, Ryan Leef, made the announcement Tuesday morning on behalf of the Canadian Northern Economic Development Agency.

Six projects in Yukon will split $1.8 million in funding.

"The projects include recreational facilities for the Kwanlin Dun First Nation and Kluane First Nation. Curling rink renovations will be completed in Haines Junction and renovation and expansion of Tr'ondëk Hwëch'in First Nations in Dawson City," said Leef.

Money will also go towards a backup heating system for the Watson Lake Recreation Complex, and an emergency generator for the Canada Games Centre in Whitehorse.

In the Northwest Territories, five projects will split $1.1 million in funding.

One of the major projects is the construction of a pool for Fort Simpson, N.W.T. The town's deputy mayor, Stella Nadia, said she's thrilled, since the town has been trying to build a pool for the past five years.

"It was [a] long time coming. These people are definitely going to utilize it in a lot of ways. I would say, too, even our elders are going to benefit from using the pool for therapeutic exercises. I'm really excited about the project myself," she said.

With the financial boost, the project should be complete by the summer.

The other four projects in the N.W.T. which received funding are the Kitti Hall in Tuktoyaktuk, the Visitor's Centre in Yellowknife, the arena in Paulatuk, and the historic lodge in Fort McPherson.

The money comes from the Community Infrastructure Improvement Fund.