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Public pools will benefit from cash infusion from Ontario government.

Swimming pools across Ontario will soon start benefiting from a joint government effort to revitalize the province's recreation infrastructure.

Federal and provincial government officials were on hand in Mississauga, Ont., earlier this month to announce the official kick-off of the Ontario Recreation program (Ontario REC) and Recreational Infrastructure Canada (RInC) program. The two initiatives are intended to upgrade and repair existing recreation facilities, including city and public pools, while also creating jobs and stimulating the economy.

The launch came four months after the 2009 federal budget, in which the government pledged to invest $500 million in the RinC program. Of those funds, $68 million is allocated to Ontario for the upcoming construction season. The Ontario government also promised an additional $195 million for recreation infrastructure projects in its 2009 budget.

Applications are currently being accepted on behalf of municipalities, counties, First Nations governments, community groups and other not-for-profit organizations. To qualify, projects must be scheduled for completion by March 31, 2011, and will be evaluated on both merit and construction readiness. Each level of government can fund up to one-third of a project's total eligible cost, to a maximum of $1 million each per development.

The first of the qualifying projects will be announced next month.