Bell Lake paddling club gets a financial boost from feds

Abenaki Aquatic Club hosts both competitive and recreational paddling and offers high-level canoe and kayak training, as well as swimming lessons

CITYnews halifax \ Steve Gow

Dartmouth’s Abenaki Aquatic Club is about to get a well-funded facelift.

Today Dartmouth – Cole Harbour MP Darren Fisher announced a federal investment of $315,000 through the Canada Community Revitalization Fund (CCRF) to the only women-led paddling club in the Atlantic region.

Made on behalf of the Honourable Ginette Petitpas Taylor, Minister of Official Languages and Minister responsible for Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency (ACOA), the announcement will enable the Abenaki Aquatic Club on Bell Lake to build a two-storey boathouse and clubhouse, replacing its existing facility which has served the community for over 50 years.

The new structure will house equipment and enable the Club to provide safe, accessible recreational programming to community members.

“The Abenaki Aquatic Club is near and dear to our hearts in Dartmouth—Cole Harbour. This incredible Club on beautiful Bell Lake provides families in our community with easy access to nature and healthy activity right in the city,” stated Fisher in a news release. “The investment we’re delivering today is a game-changer for Abenaki and our community as a whole.”

Abenaki Aquatic Club hosts both competitive and recreational paddling and offers high-level canoe and kayak training, as well as swimming lessons.

Launched in June 2021, the CCRF supports building or improving community spaces and assets as well adapting spaces to be made more safe in accordance with local public health guidelines.