Hamilton has another government cheque to cash.

The provincial and federal governments are committing nearly $6.8 million to the city for upgrades to recreation facilities. Another $3.7 million will go to community organizations.

"We're ecstatic," said Hamilton's recreation manager Chris Herstek.

The funding will allow the city to move up projects planned for the next 10 years, making room for initiatives that would have been delayed for a decade or more.

"We'll be able to get more projects done," Herstek said. "It really helps leverage our money."

The city is required to fund one-third of each project, which must be completed by March 2011.

Hamilton has struggled to properly fund its recreation facilities, many of which had fallen into disrepair. A report last year warned the city would be forced to close more than half of its centres, pools and arenas in the next decade if it did not increase funding. There was a $20-million repair backlog.

Burlington also received $5 million in recreation funding. The largest projects are $2 million to expand the Appleby Ice Centre and $1.65 million to redevelop Mountainside Park.

Yesterday's recreation funding is part of an overall government infrastructure initiative to stimulate the economy. Hamilton has already received $122 million for other projects in the last month.

"I think we're in better shape now on the infrastructure side than we've ever been," said Mayor Fred Eisenberger.

His only disappointment is that the governments didn't select Auchmar for funding. The city wants to turn the heritage mansion into a curatorial centre.

nmacintyre@thespec.com

905-526-3299

HAMILTON'S RECREATION PROJECTS:

Fix Inch Park pool: $1.3 million

Expand Flamborough Family YMCA: $1.2 million

Retrofit Carlisle Arena: $1.1 million

Replace floor at Chedoke Twin Pad: $1.1 million

Retrofit Rosedale Arena: $1.1 million

Sports lighting and washrooms for Turner Park: $1.1 million

Retrofit Inch Park Arena: $1.1 million

Upgrades to Sklodowska Community Recreation Centre: $680,000

East Mountain trail and washrooms: $610,000

Soccer project at Redeemer University College: $600,000

Fifty Point Conservation Area campground project: $390,000

Renovations to YWCA Hamilton: $200,000