STURGEON COUNTY, AB, Aug. 26, 2017 /CNW/ - The governments of Canada and Alberta recognize the importance of investing in infrastructure that encourages active lifestyles, improves community connections and helps preserve the environment.
The Honourable Amarjeet Sohi, Minister of Infrastructure and Communities; Colin Piquette, MLA for Athabasca-Sturgeon-Redwater; His Worship Tom Flynn, Mayor of Sturgeon County; Brent Collingwood, River Valley Alliance Board Chair, and Christine Nelson, Alberta TrailNet Society Board member, participated in a ribbon-cutting ceremony today to mark the completion of two waterfront trails. This project is a key component of the River Valley Alliance Capital Plan, an initiative to enhance and improve public access to the North Saskatchewan River and river valley through the addition of multi-use trails and information features.
More than 19 kilometres of primary and secondary trails, including both the Lamoureux and Fort Augustus Trails, now link Sturgeon County to Edmonton, greatly increasing the network of routes available to cyclists and pedestrians in the area. Once completed, the overarching River Valley Alliance program will span 18,000 acres and be 88 kilometres in length, not only providing residents with more ways to stay active and reduce air pollution, but also helping bolster tourism and economic development in the region.
Quotes
"Investing in public infrastructure makes our communities desirable places to live and paves the way for economic growth and middle-class job creation. It is my pleasure to mark the completion of the Waterfront Trail here in Sturgeon County. The River Valley Alliance Capital Program is a wonderful initiative that will help residents stay healthy and make our communities more livable for years to come."
The Honourable Amarjeet Sohi,
Minister of Infrastructure and Communities
"Alberta's wild spaces make our lives better. That's why our government is investing in Sturgeon County's riverfront trails, an important link in the iconic North Saskatchewan River valley. For years to come, Alberta families will benefit from this project as they walk, cycle and explore the Lamoureux and Fort Augustus Trails."
The Honourable Shannon Phillips,
Minister of Alberta Environment and Parks
"This regional project has been in the works for a number of years and to see it come to completion is great news for the region. We appreciate the continued support from federal, provincial and municipal governments, Alberta TrailNet and Trans Canada Trail and Gibson's Energy."
His Worship Tom Flynn,
Mayor of Sturgeon County
"The River Valley Alliance is pleased with the progress that Sturgeon County and our partner municipalities have made in making the capital projects from our 2007 Plan of Action a reality. Looking ahead, the 'Next Phase' of capital projects aim to connect the Capital Region River Valley Park from end to end by land and water. The priorities of the River Valley Alliance will continue to be securing funding support from federal and provincial governments to achieve the regional connectivity of the park."
Brent Collingwood,
River Valley Alliance Board Chair
"Sturgeon County's celebration on August 26th is one of 21 events in Alberta and over 200 celebrations occurring across Canada on other sections of The Great Trail. We are excited to be celebrating today with Trans Canada Trail and our provincial and territorial trail partners across the country."
Linda Strong-Watson,
Executive Director of the Alberta TrailNet Society
Quick Facts
- For the Lamoureux Trail (formerly the Sturgeon County Waterfront Trail):
- The River Valley Alliance contributed approximately $934,000 sourced from:
- The Government of Canada, which contributed approximately $467,000 through the 2007 Building Canada Fund – Major Infrastructure Component.
- The Government of Alberta, which contributed approximately $467,000.
- Sturgeon County covered the remaining funds through a combination of municipal contributions, private donors and industry partners. The total cost of this project was $1,414,220.
- The total project cost of the Fort Augustus Trail was $401,233, Trans Canada Trails contributed $193,348 and Alberta TrailNet provided the remaining $207,885.
- Overall, the federal government is contributing up to $30,000,000 through the Building Canada Fund – Major Infrastructure Component towards the River Valley Alliance Capital Program.
Associated 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 infrastructure investments in Alberta: http://www.infrastructure.gc.ca/map-carte/ab-eng.html
The Building Canada Fund – Major Infrastructure Component: http://www.infrastructure.gc.ca/prog/bcf-fcc-eng.html#mic-vgi
Twitter: @INFC_eng
Web: Infrastructure Canada
SOURCE Infrastructure Canada
Brook Simpson, Press Secretary, Office of the Minister of Infrastructure and Communities, 613-219-0149, [email protected]; Brent Wittmeier, Press Secretary, Alberta Environment and Parks, 587-985-5104, [email protected]; Sheila Moore, Senior Communications Officer, Sturgeon County, 780-939-8368; Tanya Klein, Communications Coordinator, River Valley Alliance, 780-964-9543, [email protected]; Infrastructure Canada, 613-960-9251, Toll free: 1-877-250-7154, Email: [email protected]
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