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Funds will help fill the growing need for new public swimming facilities, as well as the repair and renovation of existing recreational facilities.

Public pool facilities in Canada will be sharing in the government's $4-billion Infrastructure Stimulus Fund, announced in the recent federal budget. The money will go towards provincial, territorial and municipal infrastructure rehabilitation projects during the 2009 and 2010 construction seasons.

Specifically, the federal budget provides $500 million over two years to support the construction of new community recreational facilities and upgrades to existing facilities across Canada. These funds will help fill the growing need for new public swimming facilities, as well as the repair and renovation of existing recreational sites, many of which were built in 1967 to help mark Canada's Centennial year, and are now in dire need of upgrading and renewal.

The federal government will approve provincial, territorial and municipal project plans, and will cover up to 50 per cent of eligible project costs, with the balance provided by provincial and municipal governments, community organizations and the private sector.

Subject to project readiness and merit, funding will be allocated for projects in provinces and territories based on their population.

The 2009 budget is Canada's Economic Action Plan, which includes investments in infrastructure, tax relief and transfers and other initiatives. Stimulus measures in the budget will provide almost $30 billion in support to the Canadian economy this year, an amount equivalent to 1.9 per cent of the country's total economy (real GDP).