Saguenay, October 13, 2006 - Acting on behalf of Nathalie Normandeau, Quebec's
Ministre des Affaires municipales et des Régions,
Françoise Gauthier,
Member of the National Assembly for Jonquière and Ministre du Tourisme,
Ministre responsable de la région du Saguenay-Lac-Saint-Jean, today joined the Honourable
Jean-Pierre Blackburn, Minister of Labour and Minister of
Canada Economic Development, in announcing that the City of Saguenay
will receive $1,492,798 in combined government funding under the Municipal
Rural Infrastructure Fund (MRIF) to build a multiservice centre in the
Saint-Jean-Eudes district of the city.
The new one-and-a-half storey building will de designed with ground floors on
two different levels. The first level on the Principale Street side of the
building will include a community hall wired for sound, an Internet café, a
health-food restaurant, office space for various organizations, an indoor play
area for children and a room with a separate outdoor access for skaters during
the winter season. The second ground-floor level, located on the other side of
the building facing the Saguenay River, will house a youth centre, a cycling
station and a terrace with a scenic river view and stage for outdoor concerts
and shows.
The project also provides for the installation of a number of outdoor
facilities, including a basketball court, skating rink and playground on the
Principale Street side, and a skateboard park and soccer field on the lower
river side.
"With its many adapted services, the Maison pour tous de
Saint-Jean-Eudes is sure to become an important focal point for young
people, one that will undoubtedly attract families from surrounding areas and
help promote the cultural development and revitalization of the
district," stated Minister Françoise Gauthier.
"Infrastructure projects like this one are essential to Canada's future. They
improve citizens' quality of life in a tangible and lasting way and serve to
tighten the weave of our community fabric. Thanks to the
Maison pour tous, Saint-Jean-Eudes residents will be able to
benefit from a wide array of cultural, sports and community activities.
Moreover, this multiservice centre will help foster the neighbourhood's growth
and development," noted Minister Jean-Pierre Blackburn.
Completion of this major project will require a total investment
of $2,239,198 eligible under component 3 of the MRIF. As such, the
governments of Quebec and Canada will each contribute $746,399 toward the
project, for a total of $1,492,798 in combined government assistance, while the
City of Saguenay will assume $746,400 of the project's costs.
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 municipales et des
Régions514-873-3687
Information:
Jonathan TrudeauPress SecretaryOffice 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
Nadja RaphaëlCommunications AdvisorCanada Economic
Development 514-283-2634
