Ola-Léger School Celebrates Official Opening of Athletic Track and Improved Playground

October 11, 2016 – Bertrand, NB – Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency

Serge Cormier, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Fisheries and Oceans and the Canadian Coast Guard and MP for Acadie-Bathurst, on behalf of the Honourable Navdeep Bains, Minister of Innovation, Science and Economic Development and Minister responsible for the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency (ACOA), and Hédard Albert, MP for Caraquet, on behalf of the Honourable Donald Arseneault, Minister of the Regional Development Corporation, participated in the official inauguration of the new athletic track today, as part of celebrations surrounding the 70th anniversary of Ola-Léger school in Bertrand.

Representatives of the federal and provincial governments took the opportunity to announce an investment of over $44,000 for the development of the playground at Ola-Léger school and the installation of the athletic track, which will be used not only by students at the school but also by community members after school hours.

The Government of Canada, through the Canada 150 Community Infrastructure Program (CIP 150), is investing $22,400 in the project, while the Government of New Brunswick is contributing $21,900.

CIP150 is providing up to $300 million nationally over two years to support projects to rehabilitate, renovate and expand community and recreational infrastructure as part of the Government of Canada’s activities to honour Canada’s 150th anniversary of Confederation. CIP 150 is administered by ACOA in the Atlantic Region.

Quotes

“The Government of Canada understands that building a strong country begins in our local communities with support for vital community infrastructure. This is why we are determined to support upgrades and improvements to recreational facilities across the country. Communities prosper when all residents have access to places that enhance the quality of life for families in the entire region.”

-       The Honourable Navdeep Bains, Minister of Innovation, Science and Economic Development and Minister responsible for ACOA

“The federal government knows the importance of working closely with municipalities and communities to support initiatives that contribute to a healthy and active lifestyle for the people who live there. This is why I am happy to announce the Canadian government’s support for this project, which helped to build an athletic track and playground at Ola-Léger school. This investment will have a lasting effect on all the people in the community.”

-       Serge Cormier, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Fisheries and Oceans and the Canadian Coast Guard and MP for Acadie-Bathurst

“The provincial government is investing in community projects like this athletic track to promote a healthy and active lifestyle. We are proud to have been a part of this recreational and community project, which is important for the town.”

-       Hédard Albert, MP for Caraquet, on behalf of the Honourable Donald Arseneault, Minister of the Regional Development Corporation

“We have wanted to provide our citizens and our students in Bertrand with a place to walk for several years. This is why we decided to design an athletic track. And the school grounds were an ideal and safe location to do that. In addition, we are glad to take advantage of the activities surrounding the 70th anniversary of the Bertrand school to inaugurate this track.”

-   Yvon Godin, Mayor of Bertrand

Related links

• Canada 150 Community Infrastructure Program (CIP 150)
• Village of Bertrand (French only)
• Ola-Léger school (French only)

Resource people

Lisa Gautreau
Acting Senior Communications Officer
Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency
506-471-1565

Bruce MacFarlane
Communications
Province of New Brunswick
506-444-4377 

France Haché
Community and Cultural Development Officer
Ola-Léger school
506-726-2515