February 08, 2008
Saanich, British Columbia
The District of Saanich will improve two major recreation and leisure facilities, thanks to an investment of more than $2.8 million from the federal and provincial governments. The funding is provided through the Canada-B.C. Municipal Rural Infrastructure Fund (CBCMRIF), which enables communities across B.C. to become healthier, greener and more sustainable places to live.
The announcement was made today by the Honourable Gary Lunn, Member of Parliament for Saanich-Gulf Islands and Minister of Natural Resources, and Ida Chong, MLA for Oak Bay-Gordon Head and Minister of Community Services and Minister Responsible for Seniors' and Womens' Issues.
The District of Saanich will receive $2 million to expand the Gordon Head Recreation Centre and $830,000 to expand Cordova Bay Community Place at the Cordova Bay Elementary School. Both projects will be built to LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) standards for energy consumption. LEED standard is an internationally recognized assessment tool for the development of buildings that demonstrate energy efficiency and environmental sensitivity.
The Gordon Head facility upgrades will benefit the approximately 50,000 people who visit the centre each year. These upgrades include building a new auditorium, providing additional activity space, upgrading change rooms to provide better access for people with disabilities, reconfiguring access roads and parking lot upgrades. The Cordova Bay facility will gain two multipurpose rooms, a storage space, a kitchen and janitorial room, and two new bathrooms with disability access.
"The Government of Canada is pleased to support the District of Saanich's efforts to update its recreation centres, ensuring residents of all ages can access improved facilities," said Minister Lunn on behalf of the Honourable Rona Ambrose, President of the Queen's Privy Council for Canada, Minister of Intergovernmental Affairs and Minister of Western Economic Diversification. "We are delivering on our promise to help communities grow as vibrant and productive places to live, work and raise families."
"Both of these facilities in Saanich are major social and recreation hubs for residents," said Chong. "These upgrades mean we are making these places more accessible for our entire community. I'm also particularly pleased that the District of Saanich is taking a leadership role to ensure the expansions will meet energy efficient designs."
"We appreciate the Federal and Provincial governments' continued commitment to much-needed municipal infrastructure" said Frank Leonard, Mayor of Saanich.
Launched in June 2006, the majority of the CBCMRIF program funding supports communities of fewer than 250,000 people to minimize the costs to taxpayers of local infrastructure upgrades or new construction projects.
At least 60 per cent of the funding will assist with "green projects," and are geared towards enhancing environmental sustainability, such as water and waste-water systems, public transit and environmental energy improvements. Other infrastructure projects will support local roads, cultural and recreational facilities, tourism and broadband connectivity. Funding for these projects is conditionally approved pending the successful completion of an environmental assessment.
The total amount available through the CBCMRIF, with federal and provincial investments and matching local government contribution, is over $220 million. More details on the program are available through the CBCMRIF website at www.canadabcmrif.ca.
Media Contacts:
Jackie StewartWestern Economic Diversification Canada604 666-1306
Marc BlackB.C. Ministry of Community Services250 356-6334
WD Toll-Free Number:1 888 338-WEST (9378)
Web Site: WD is online at www.wd-deo.gc.ca.
