Multi-sport courts open in South Cooking Lake

New amenities enhance recreation opportunities for residents

Two new sport courts opened on August 19, 2023, in South Cooking Lake, coinciding with that community’s annual Trail Days celebration which also marked their Community League’s centennial anniversary.

The $450,000 project, which created a pickleball and basketball court, was identified in the Strathcona County Recreation and Culture Strategy, as well as the South Cooking Lake Community Master Plan. The project was made possible thanks to federal funding of up to $337,500 provided through the Canada Community Revitalization Fund (CCRF).

“The need for recreation and culture in Strathcona County is diverse,” says Mayor Rod Frank. “I am pleased that the community of South Cooking Lake has gained two more amenities that enhance resident’s accessibility to outdoor recreation opportunities.”

The CCRF is a two-year $500-million national infrastructure program designed to support communities across the country with projects that revitalize downtown core and main streets, reinvent outdoor spaces, create green infrastructure, and address accessibility of community space. The Fund is administered in Alberta by PrairiesCan.

“The opening of these recreational amenities in South Cooking Lake reflects a successful shared commitment between Strathcona County and the federal government to create public spaces that everyone can enjoy,” says the Honourable Dan Vandal, Minister responsible for Prairies Economic Development Canada. “Through the Canada Community Revitalization Fund, our government is investing in communities across the Prairies to build and modernize local infrastructure that will benefit residents and visitors for years to come.”

“Recreational facilities like this help build communities across many small towns in Alberta,” says the Honourable Randy Boissonnault, Minister of Employment, Workforce Development and Official Languages. “This investment will continue to shape a sense of belonging and improve the quality of life for many families that call South Cooking Lake home for years to come.”

Recreation multi-sport courts are important to a community as they provide accessible spaces for physical activity, foster social connections, promote inclusivity, and enhance overall quality of life by offering a variety of recreational opportunities.

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Contact: Strathcona County Communications, 780-410-6595