The Mic Mac Amateur Aquatic Club in Dartmouth, Nova Scotia, will undergo a retrofit and expansion to address climate change impacts and improve energy efficiency and accessibility.

The federal government recently committed an investment of more than $1.2 million through the Build Communities Strong Fund.

The windows, brickwork, and insulation will be upgraded to improve energy performance, and solar panels and sunshades will be installed to reduce reliance on non-renewable energy.

The kayak and dragon boat docks will be replaced with new docks that are accessible and made from durable, climate-adaptive materials. As well, an accessible pathway and wheelchair ramp will be constructed to connect the entrance to the second-level deck.

Interior renovations include expanding the kitchen with energy-efficient appliances, converting the washrooms into accessible, gender-neutral facilities, and installing accessible doors.

“In Dartmouth, people don’t ask if you paddle—they ask where you paddle,” said Dartmouth-Cole Harbour MP Darren Fisher. “For more than 100 years, the non-profit Mic Mac Amateur Aquatic Club has brought people together on Lake Banook. Whether you’re training, competing, or getting your first paddle in the water, everyone should have the opportunity to take part.”