Two sports facilities to be renovated in Gaspésie thanks to joint funding from the governments of Canada and Quebec Français
BONAVENTURE, QC, May 25, 2017 /CNW/ - The governments of Canada and Quebec recognize the importance of having good recreational infrastructure that encourages people to adopt healthy lifestyles, and contributes to making communities vibrant and inclusive places to live. Thanks to joint government funding, the Towns of Bonaventure and Chandler will each benefit from a renovated sports facility, which will enhance residents' quality while contributing to the growth of sporting activities and enduring community prosperity.
The Honourable Diane Lebouthillier, Minister of National Revenue and Member of Parliament for Gaspésie–Les Îles-de-la-Madeleine, and Sébastien Proulx, Minister of Education, Recreation and Sports, Minister of Families and Minister Responsible for the Gaspésie-Îles-de-la-Madeleine Region, today announced that the governments of Canada and Quebec will each invest more than $2.7 million to modernize the Gilbert-Desrosiers arena in Bonaventure. The Town will also invest more than $2.7 million to bring the total government and municipal investment to more than $8.1 million. Work includes renovating the structures, expanding the players' locker rooms and changing the refrigeration system.
The federal and provincial governments will also each invest more than $840,000 for the renovation of the Clement Tremblay sports centre in Chandler. The Town will also invest more than $840,000 in the project, bringing the total government and municipal investment to more than $2.5 million. Work includes replacing the refrigeration system, upgrading the lighting system, and replacing the ice rinks as well as bay windows.
Funding for these two projects comes from the New Building Canada Fund, Small Communities Fund--Provincial-Territorial Infrastructure Component.
Citations
"Sports infrastructure helps keep our communities healthy. As well as helping residents maintain an active lifestyle, these renovations will help bring people together and contribute to the development of the Gaspésie region for generations to come. Our government is proud to be making investments that improve the quality of people's lives, while promoting economic prosperity and creating well-paying jobs for the middle class."
The Honourable Diane Lebouthillier, Minister of National Revenue and Member of Parliament for Gaspésie–Les Îles-de-la-Madeleine, on behalf of the Honorable Amarjeet Sohi, Minister of Infrastructure and Communities
"By supporting renovation and construction projects such as these, we are demonstrating our desire to make safe, accessible facilities available to local residents and help municipalities ensure the durability and quality of their infrastructure. These projects in Gaspésie-Îles-de-la-Madeleine will allow residents to engage in regular sports and physical activities, promoting the adoption of active lifestyles."
Sébastien Proulx, Minister of Education, Recreation and Sports, Minister of Families and Minister Responsible for the Gaspésie-Îles-de-la-Madeleine Region
"I am very pleased with today's announcement since the financial support we're getting through the Small Communities Fund will allow us to make much-needed improvements to our recreational infrastructure. The direction the Town of Bonaventure is taking strongly encourages the adoption of healthy lifestyles, but to promote increased physical activity, we must offer our citizens quality facilities. I am therefore delighted with the idea of being able to significantly improve the quality of life for residents thanks to the work that will be carried out in the near future."
Roch Audet, Mayor of Bonaventure
"We are very happy about announcement of $1.7 million in government support for the Chandler Arena. This generous contribution will enable us to replace the refrigeration system to meet new environmental regulations. Furthermore, we will be able to make much needed repairs to maintain our operations and ensure the safety of our users. Town of Chandler officials would like to thank the federal and provincial governments, represented today by the Honourable Diane Lebouthillier, Canadian Minister of National Revenue and Member of Parliament for Gaspésie–Les Îles-de-la-Madeleine, and the Honourable Sébastien Proulx, Minister Responsible for the Gaspésie-Îles-de-la-Madeleine Region, for this significant financial support which will allow us to maintain quality sports and recreation services."
Louisette Langlois, Mayor of Chandler
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.
Associated Links
For more information about the government of Canada's $180-billion+ infrastructure plan in Budget 2017: http://www.budget.gc.ca/2017/docs/plan/chap-02-en.html
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: Brook Simpson, Press Secretary, Office of the Minister of Infrastructure and Communities, 613-219-0149; Marie B. Deschamps, Press Secretary, Minister of Education, Recreation and Sports, Minister of Families and Minister Responsible for the Region of Gaspésie-Îles-de-la-Madeleine, 418 644-0664; 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
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