Several arena improvement projects in Prescott-Russell are getting financial help from the provincial government.

« We`re happy to get this money, » said Mayor Robert Lefebvre of Hawkesbury during a phone interview.

The provincial government announced approval of $12.2 million in financial support for recreational infrastructure projects in the Prescott-Russell region. The majority of the funding is $10 million for Russell Township’s planned recreation complex that will include a community hall, three indoor ice rinks, and a six-lane indoor pool. Smaller amounts of money are going to Hawkesbury, The Nation Municipality and the City of Clarence-Rockland to help with improvements to their existing arenas.

The money is from the provincial government`s Community Sport and Recreation Infrastructure Fund.

Hawkesbury gets $866,500 towards replacing the rooftop at the Robert Hartley Sports Complex. Town council and administration were already working out plans for financing and scheduling the rehabilitation work. Mayor Lefebvre noted that the original plan was to replace the old rooftop section by section but confirmation of provincial funding help means the entire rooftop area may be replaced as a single project.

Hawkesbury council will wait for municipal staff to provide an updated report on the total cost for replacement of the sports complex roof, how long the work could take, and details on the steps for doing a public tender call for a contractor for the project.

The Nation Municipality will receive $962,500 to help with rehabilitation work on the St-Isidore Community Centre Arena while the City of Clarence-Rockland is approved for $360,700 to help replace the HVAC system at the Clarence-Rockland Arena.