Duncan, British Columbia, July 12, 2007 - Nearly a million dollars in
funding from the federal Gas Tax Fund will be used to upgrade eight
recreation facilities in the Cowichan Valley. The announcement was made
today by Dr. James Lunney, Member of Parliament for Nanaimo – Alberni, on
behalf of the Honourable Lawrence Cannon, Minister of Transport,
Infrastructure and Communities, together with Ron Cantelon, Member of the
Legislative Assembly for Nanaimo – Parksville on behalf of the Honourable
Ida Chong, BC's Minister of Community Services. They were joined by Union
of BC Municipalities (UBCM) President Brenda Binnie, Cowichan Valley
Regional District (CVRD) Vice-Chair Jon Lefebure and other local
government officials, at an event on the rooftop of the Cowichan Centre.
Dr. Lunney praised the CVRD for its decision to address the issue of
energy consumption in community buildings.
"Canada's New Government is proud to partner with British Columbia and
UBCM to provide funding that will help cities and communities meet their
infrastructure needs and enhance the quality of life of residents of
British Columbia," said Dr. Lunney. "I'm especially happy that the funding
will be used to upgrade the centres with energy efficient technology,
which will contribute to reducing greenhouse gas emissions and will help
the environment."
The upgrades will include a variety of measures to enhance the energy
efficiency of the facilities that will lower operating costs and result in
fewer emissions at various recreation centres in the Cowichan Valley. The
total amount committed for all eight facilities is approximately $900,000.
"The decision of local governments to implement changes and undertake
facility upgrades is key to helping the Province reduce greenhouse gas
emissions," said Cantelon. "That is why it is so important that we support
local projects, like these, which will help make our communities more
environmentally sustainable and ensure our continued high quality of
life."Canada's New Government is providing $635.6 million to
British Columbia from 2005 to 2010 through the Gas Tax Agreement. In
Budget 2007, and as part of its $33 billion "Building Canada" plan, the
Government of Canada extended the Gas Tax Fund by an additional $2 billion
per year nationally, from 2010 to 2014. The Gas Tax Agreement is
administered in British Columbia by the Union of BC
Municipalities."Today's announcement demonstrates that
partnerships like the Gas Tax Agreement are an effective means for
delivering results to British Columbians," said UBCM President Binnie. "We
are pleased that so many different communities within the CVRD are
benefiting from this federal funding."
The upgrades are a critical component of the CVRD's commitment to
promoting energy efficiency and green initiatives. The CVRD is also a BC
Hydro PowerSmart partner and a member of Natural Resources Canada's
EnergGuide for Existing Buildings program.
"This funding partnership represents a unique opportunity to pool
resources to enhance existing recreation facilities", said Board Chair
Jack Peake. Many of our buildings are aging, and this federal grant is
vital to ensuring that our residents have continued access to quality
recreation opportunities. It also has the benefit of achieving green
outcomes, which are important to the CVRD and its member
municipalities."
Installation of the upgrades is expected to begin later this year in
some facilities. All projects are expected to be complete by 2009.
Facilities benefiting from the federal investment are:
Cowichan Lake Sports ArenaLake Cowichan Centennial HallMesachie
Lake Community HallHoneymoon Bay Community HallYoubou Community
Hall and Bowling AlleyShawnigan Lake Community CenterFrank Jameson
Community Centre in LadysmithCowichan Centre in Duncan.
Please visit www.infrastructure.gc.ca
or www.civicnet.bc.ca for
background information on the Canada – BC – UBCM Gas Tax Agreement.
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Contacts:
Natalie SarafianPress Secretary to the Honourable Lawrence
Cannon613-991-0700Marc BlackCommunications
ManagerMinistry of Community Services(250) 356 6334
Paul TaylorRelationships and Communications AdvisorUnion of BC
Municipalities(250) 356 2938
Jacob EllisSpecial CoordinatorCowichan Valley Regional
District(250) 746-2520
Infrastructure Canada 613-948-1148
