Ottawa has given the Halifax area $1.6 million to be divided among five recreational projects, including a new indoor soccer pitch at the Mainland Common.

The Clayton Park soccer facility, expected to be open early next year, received $1 million, the largest chunk of the federal funds that Central Nova MP Peter MacKay announced Sunday.

The announcement was made at the Dartmouth Sportsplex, which received $320,000 to put toward a $960,000 upgrade, including new air conditioning and heat-recovery systems, new arena boards and dressing room improvements. The remainder of the federal funding will go toward upgrading six kilometres of pathways in Portland Hills in Dartmouth ($200,000), building a new four-season multi-purpose room at the Big Cove YMCA Camp ($32,000) and refurbishing the clubhouse at Banook Canoe Club ($26,667).

The funding is through the Recreational Infrastructure Canada Program.

Pat Lee, The Chronicle Herald, Feb 22.