Saint-David-de-Falardeau, Quebec, August 21, 2009 – Acting on behalf of Laurent Lessard, Quebec’s Ministre des Affaires municipales, des Régions et de l’Occupation du territoire, Serge Simard, Ministre délégué aux Ressources naturelles et à la Faune, Ministre responsable de la région du Saguenay–Lac-Saint-Jean and Member of the National Assembly for Dubuc, today joined the Honourable Jean-Pierre Blackburn, Minister of National Revenue, Minister of State (Agriculture and Agri-Food) and Member of Parliament for Jonquière–Alma, acting on behalf of the Honourable Denis Lebel, Minister of State for Canada Economic Development, in announcing that the Municipality of Saint-David-de-Falardeau will receive $2,388,506 in joint government funding under the Municipal Rural Infrastructure Fund (MRIF) for the expansion and renovation of its Centre sportif Réjean-Tremblay.
The expansion portion of the project involves increasing the arena’s existing surface area of 2,090 square metres to 2,345 square metres by adding one new annex for the storage of the ice grooming machine and relocation of the mechanical and electrical room. The renovation portion touches the entire building and consists of repairing the roof and exterior siding, completely refurbishing the skating rink, including the boards, glass and players’ benches, adding 100 new seats and a corridor and renovating the changing rooms. The project also calls for the installation of a new refrigeration system and lighting system for the rink and the execution of various complementary works.
These improvements will ensure the Centre sportif Réjean-Tremblay has the kind of modern and efficient equipment it needs to operate year-round and offer a facility for the practice of sports and family, cultural and commercial activities that is safe and comfortable for users and spectators alike.
“The Centre sportif Réjean-Tremblay is one of the main gathering places and recreational spots for the local and regional population. Once renovated, this Centre will be better able to meet the needs of the residents of Saint-David-de-Falardeau and of the neighbouring community of Saint-Honoré, while encouraging greater physical activity among members of all age groups. The Government of Quebec is proud to be involved in the improvement of this sports infrastructure, a rallying project that promises to generate major economic and tourism spinoffs for the region,” stated Minister Simard.
“This is a major face-lift that the Centre sportif Réjean-Tremblay will be getting this year. Once complete, the 2,600 residents of Saint-David-de Falardeau will have a more modern, larger and more versatile facility in which to enjoy a greater number of sports and recreational activities. It is precisely in this spirit that the Government of Canada implemented an economic action plan to improve Canadians’ quality of life, stimulate the economy and create jobs through major infrastructure projects all across the country,” added Minister Blackburn.
Completion of this project will necessitate a total eligible investment of $3,582,760 under component 3 of the MRIF. The Government of Quebec and Government of Canada will each contribute $1,194,253 toward this work, for a total of $2,388,506 in combined government funding, while the Municipality of Saint-David-de-Falardeau will assume $1,194,254 of the project’s costs.
Saint-David-de-Falardeau Mayor Jean-Yves Dufour said he is delighted with the governments’ support of this project, an initiative that will help improve community infrastructure, further the development of the municipality and ensure greater well-being to the population.
The Municipal Rural Infrastructure Fund is a cost-sharing initiative of the Government of Quebec and Government of Canada that makes $470 million in funding available to Quebec municipalities and non-governmental organizations. With the financial participation of these municipalities and organizations, this initiative could result in the execution of more than $700 million in infrastructure work. The objectives of the MRIF are to improve community infrastructure, the quality of the environment and citizens’ quality of life, and to promote long-term economic growth.
The program, which is in force until March 31, 2010, is administered by Quebec’s Ministère des Affaires municipales, des Régions et de l’Occupation du territoire. Industry Canada and Canada Economic Development are responsible for delivering the federal portion of the MRIF on behalf of the Government of Canada.
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Sources:
Johanne Levesque
Communications Advisor
Communications Branch
Ministère des Affaires municipales, des Régions et de l’Occupation du territoire
Tel.: 514-873-6910
Inofrmation:
Sylvain Bourassa
Press Secretary
Office of the Ministre des Affaires municipales, des Régions et de l’Occupation du territoire
Tel.: 418-691-2050
Stéphanie Desforges
Senior Special Assistant, Communications
Office of the Honourable Denis Lebel
Canada Economic Development
Tel.: 514-496-1282
stephanie.desforges@dec-ced.gc.ca
Sophie Doucet
Special Assistant, Communications
Office of the Honourable Jean-Pierre Blackburn
National Revenue and Agriculture and Agri-Food
Tel.: 613-608-3252
sophie.doucet@cra-arc.gc.ca
Nadia Marceau
Communications
Canada Economic Development
Tel.: 418-321-0295
nadia.marceau@dec-ced.gc.ca
