Construction of a future sports complex and renovations to two sports facilities in Abitibi-Témiscamingue thanks to joint funding from the governments of Canada and Quebec Français
VAL-D'OR, QC, April 20, 2017 /CNW/ - The governments of Canada and Quebec recognize the importance of having good recreational infrastructure that encourages healthy lifestyles and makes communities vibrant and inclusive places to live. Thanks to joint government funding, the Town of Val-d'Or will benefit from a new sports facility, and the Towns of Saint-Félix-de-Dalquier and Sainte-Germaine will be able to renovate their local sports complexes.
Stéphane Lauzon, Member of Parliament for Argenteuil–La Petite Nation and Parliamentary Secretary for Sport and Persons with Disabilities, on behalf of the Honourable Amarjeet Sohi, Minister of Infrastructure and Communities, and Guy Bourgeois, Member of the National Assembly for Abitibi-Est and Parliamentary Assistant to the Minister of Energy and Natural Resources and Minister responsible for the Northern Plan, on behalf of the Honourable Sébastien Proulx, Minister of Education, Recreation and Sports, Minister of Families and Minister Responsible for the Region of Gaspésie–Îles-de-la-Madeleine, today announced that the governments of Canada and Quebec will each invest more than $4.8 million for these three sports infrastructure projects in the Abitibi-Témiscamingue region under the New Building Canada Fund, Provincial-Territorial Infrastructure Component–Small Communities Fund.
The Governments of Canada and Quebec will each invest more than $3.9 million for the construction of a sports complex in Val-d'Or. The Town will also invest more than $3.9 million to bring the total government and municipal investment to more than $11.8 million. The project involves building a sports complex with a large gymnasium, bleachers, change rooms and multi-use spaces to accommodate a variety of activities, including tennis, badminton, volleyball and basketball.
The Governments will also invest more than $500,000 each for the renovation of the sports centre in Saint-Félix-de-Dalquier. The municipality will provide the remaining funding for this project, bringing the total government and municipal investment to more than $1.5 million. Work involves replacing the ice boards and windows, adding permanent bleachers, installing change rooms and storage spaces below the bleachers, and repairing the heating system.
Finally, more than $350,000 will be attributed to the Municipality of Sainte-Germaine-Boulé from both the federal and provincial governments to replace the refrigeration system in the municipal arena. The municipality will also invest more than $350,000 in this project, bringing the total government and municipal investment to more than $1 million.
This infrastructure will promote healthy lifestyles among local residents, especially young people and students.
Quotes
"Recreational infrastructure helps build inclusive communities where families can have fun and get together. Our government is proud to be making investments like those we're announcing today in Abitibi-Témiscamingue, that offer residents new opportunities to engage in a variety of sports year-round, while fostering economic growth and the creation of well-paid middle class jobs. "
Stéphane Lauzon, Member of Parliament for Argenteuil–La Petite Nation and Parliamentary Secretary for Sport and Persons with Disabilities, on behalf of the Honourable Amarjeet Sohi, Minister of Infrastructure and Communities
"By supporting construction projects such as these, we are demonstrating our desire to make safe and accessible facilities available to local residents and help municipalities ensure the quality of their infrastructure over the long term. These projects will enable Abitibi-Témiscamingue Region residents to practice sports and physical activities on a regular basis, encouraging them to adopt active lifestyles."
Guy Bourgeois, Member of the National Assembly for Abitibi-Est and Parliamentary assistant to the Minister of Energy and Natural Resources and Minister responsible for the Northern Plan, on behalf of the Honourable Sébastien Proulx, Quebec's Minister of Education, Recreation and Sports, Minister of Families and Minister Responsible for the Region of Gaspésie–Îles-de-la-Madeleine
"It is with enthusiasm that we welcome this announcement from the two levels of government for the construction of a multi-sport centre in Val d'Or. This highly anticipated project will be the product of a collaboration between many partners, and will have a unifying effect in the community. Versatile and modern, the future multi-sport centre will contribute to the dynamism of Val-d'Or while meeting the needs of our citizens and volunteers who work with local sports clubs. It will certainly be a special gathering place and a point of pride for the Val-d'Orian community."
Pierre Corbeil, Mayor of Val-d'Or
"Having good recreational infrastructure entices the population to adopt healthy lifestyles, enables communities to become more inclusive, and contributes to the creation of great places to live. Thanks to this joint investment from the two governments, the municipality of Saint-Félix-de-Dalquier will be able to modernize its sports complex and improve the quality of its offerings."
Raymond Carignan, Mayor of Saint-Félix-de-Dalquier
"It is with great pride that the municipality of Sainte-Germaine-Boulé welcomes today's announcement for upgrades to the refrigeration system in our sports centre. For the municipality, the arena is so much more than an arena. It's a wonderful social space that promotes the adoption of healthy lifestyles among our fellow citizens–a value integral to our Strategic Plan for Sustainable Development."
Jaclin Bégin, Mayor of Sainte-Germaine-Boulé
Quick facts
- The Small Communities Fund is a joint federal‒provincial program coordinated by Infrastructure Canada in partnership with the provinces and territories. In Quebec, the Fund is administered by the Quebec Department of Municipal Affairs and Land Occupancy. The goal of this program is to provide financial support to Canadian municipalities with fewer than 100,000 residents to develop infrastructure that can enhance their cultural, sports, recreational, and tourism assets or safeguard public assets.
- The Government of Canada will provide more than $180 billion in infrastructure funding over 12 years for public transit, green infrastructure, social infrastructure, transportation that supports trade, and Canada's rural and northern communities.
- Budget 2017 proposes $21.9 billion to support social infrastructure in Canadian communities.
Related links
Government of Canada's $180-billion+ infrastructure plan in Budget 2017: http://www.budget.gc.ca/2017/docs/plan/chap-02-en.html#Toc477707375
Federal investments in infrastructure projects in Quebec: http://www.infrastructure.gc.ca/map-carte/index-eng.html
The new Building Canada Plan: http://www.infrastructure.gc.ca/plan/nbcp-npcc-eng.html
New Building Canada Fund, Small Communities Fund:
http://www.mamot.gouv.qc.ca/infrastructures/programmes-daide-financiere/nouveau-fonds-chantiers-canada-quebec-volet-fonds-des-petites-collectivites-fpc/
SOURCE Infrastructure Canada
Contacts: Marie B. Deschamps, Press Secretary, Office of the Minister of Education, Recreation and Sports, Minister of Families and Minister responsible for the Gaspésie-Iles de la Madeleine region, 613‑960-0664; Brook Simpson, Press secretary, Office of the Minister of Infrastructure and Communities, 613-219-0149; Valérie Pomerleau, Political attaché, Office of the MNA for Abitibi‑Est, 819-824‑3333; For information: Infrastructure Canada, 613‑960-9251, Toll free: 1-877-250-7154, Email: [email protected], Twitter: @INFC_eng, Website: Infrastructure Canada; Pierre-Luc Lévesque, Communications, Department of Municipal Affairs, Land Occupancy, and Public Security, 418‑646-6777, ext 3746
Share this article