Under the Canada Healthy Communities Initiative, the Canadian Inclusivity Squash Program, CBS, NL has been approved for approximately $60,000 in funding to help facilitate upgrades at the CBS Recreation Complex, as well as to purchase seven sports wheelchairs and 30 face shields.

Thanks to this funding from the Government of Canada’s Canada Healthy Communities Initiative, the Town will be completing the following upgrades:

• Installing a new, glass squash court wall, which will create a safer space for players and coaches and will allow people in the lobby to more easily view squash, especially children and people in wheel chairs;
• Widening the doors to the squash courts so that wheelchairs can enter and exit freely;
• Remodeling the layout of the facility to provide a better user experience.

Conception Bay South has become the first town in Canada to adopt an inclusive squash program, providing athletes with physical, emotional or intellectual disabilities an opportunity to play the sport. Now, through this funding, Conception Bay South will also become the first municipality in Canada to have a wheelchair squash program. This exceptional initiative has been led by resident Eric Hart.

Quotes:

“The Town of Conception Bay South would like to thank the federal government for their continued support to enhancing the quality of life for our residents – this time by funding important upgrades to our Recreation Complex squash courts, which will create a safer, more modern and more accessible facility for all players. We believe that inclusive communities are better communities; and furthermore, that access to physical activity should not be limited for people with disabilities.” – Mayor Darrin Bent.

“It heightens safety for vulnerable people to be alone on the court with an adult coach; it helps protect the coach from unfounded accusations; and it levels the playing field for people with mobility disabilities, as they too will now be able to play squash. On top of that, squash will be more visible to all visitors to the lobby so there will no longer be a risk of children falling off chairs to watch squash through the viewing window.” – Eric Hart, President and Head Coach of the Canadian Inclusivity Squash Program.

“Grassroots community organizations like this one are at the heart of every community. By investing in programs that make it a point to include everyone in the community regardless of their ability, we are ensuring all people have access to a happy and healthy lifestyle.” Ken McDonald, Member of Parliament for Avalon.