Coteau-du-Lac, August 23, 2006 - Lucie Charlebois,
Member of the National Assembly for Soulanges and Assistant Government Whip, on
behalf of Nathalie Normandeau, Quebec's Ministre des Affaires
municipales et des Régions, and the Honourable Michael Fortier, Minister of
Public Works and Government Services and Minister responsible for the Montreal
Region, on behalf of the Honourable Jean-Pierre Blackburn, Minister of Labour
and Minister of Canada Economic Development, are pleased to announce
that the Municipality of Coteau-du-Lac will receive $1,587,626 in government
assistance under the Municipal Rural Infrastructure Fund (MRIF) to restore
Wilson Pavilion and rebuild Wilson Park.
This assistance will enable Coteau-du-Lac to enhance its downtown core. The
Wilson Pavilion, built in 1924, will be restored and revamped to serve as a
cultural and multipurpose centre. The work will include adding a basement to the
current one-storey building to house a number of rooms, among them a
multipurpose hall, dressing-rooms and workshops. The main floor will include a
second multipurpose room that can be used as an auditorium, reception hall or
exhibition room. A theatre area with a variety of stage equipment is also
planned. Exterior renovations, such as the installation of an awning, will
largely restore the Wilson Pavilion to its original look.
The work to be carried out at Wilson Park includes the development of trails,
a terrace area for outdoor shows, croquet and bocce ball play areas and various
landscaping designs. The grounds will be arranged in such a way as to increase
traffic and activities and will be well integrated into the sector's urban and
heritage setting.
"The major work planned for Coteau-du-Lac is aimed at, among other
things, enhancing residents' quality of life. The new facilities will strengthen
their sense of belonging to and pride in their downtown core and heritage," said
MNA Lucie Charlebois.
"In addition to beautifying the existing infrastructure and making
it safer, these upgrades will bring Coteau-du-Lac residents closer together.
This project clearly reflects the spirit of the Municipal Rural Infrastructure
Fund, namely to enhance quality of life and community development by upgrading
infrastructure," said Minister Jean-Pierre Blackburn.
This project will require a total investment of $2,421,408, of
which $2,381,440 is eligible under component 3 of the MRIF. Thus, the Government
of Quebec and the Government of Canada will each contribute $793,813 toward the
project, for a total of $1,587,626 in combined government funding, while the
Municipality of Coteau-du-Lac will contribute $833,782.
It should be noted that the Municipality of Coteau-du-Lac recently
adopted a cultural policy whose objectives regarding the presentation of culture
and heritage development dovetail with the work to be carried out. Moreover, the
Wilson Pavilion and Park will become a key attraction for both the municipality
and the region as well as a boost for regional tourism.
The Municipal Rural Infrastructure Fund is a $390 million
cost-sharing initiative of the Government of Quebec and the Government of Canada
to help finance municipal infrastructure projects in Quebec. With the financial
participation of municipalities, this initiative could result in investments of
nearly $576 million for infrastructure work in the province. The objectives
of the MRIF are to upgrade community infrastructure, improve the quality of the
environment, promote long-term economic growth and enhance citizens' quality of
life.
Implementation of the MRIF in Quebec is the result of a joint
agreement signed by the Government of Quebec and the Government of Canada in
July 2005. The program, which is in force until March 31, 2010,
is administered by Quebec's Ministère des Affaires municipales et des Régions.
Canada Economic Development is responsible for delivering the federal
portion of the MRIF
on behalf of the Government of Canada.
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Source:
Christine Poirier-LabergeCommunications
AdvisorCommunications BranchMinistère des Affaires municipals et des
Régions514 873-0399
Information:
Vincent LehouillierPolitical AttachéOffice of the
Ministre des Affaires municipales et des Régions418 691-2050
Roxane MarchandPress SecretaryOffice of the Honourable Jean-Pierre
BlackburnCanada Economic Development819 953-5646613 816-5094
Jean Décary Communications AdvisorCanada Economic
Development514 283-2234
Canada Economic Development is on line at www.dec-ced.gc.ca.
