Bathurst, New Brunswick - Residents of Bathurst will soon enjoy the new and improved Coronation Park and KC Irving Regional Centre thanks to a contribution of over $118,000 from the Recreational Infrastructure Canada Program (RInC), a key Government of Canada economic stimulus initiative. The Honourable Greg Thompson, Minister of Veterans Affairs, made the announcement today alongside City Mayor Stephen Brunet.
“Our government recognizes the need within many Canadian communities to provide better recreational facilities,” said Minister Thompson on behalf of the Honourable Keith Ashfield, Minister of State (Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency). “Our investment of over $118,000 for improvements to the Bathurst Coronation Park and KC Irving Regional Centre will provide short and long-term benefits to this region. It will help stimulate the economy and create jobs in the region now, and it will enhance local services that contribute to the health and quality of life of residents of the Chaleur region and Northeastern New Brunswick for years to come.”
The project will rehabilitate Coronation Park by revamping the trail system to accommodate outdoor enthusiasts and bike users. This transformation will allow for an all- season outdoor recreation opportunity at the park. A second component to this project will be the replacement of the ice floor cover at the KC Irving Regional Centre to accommodate other non-ice surface activities allowing the centre to host a number of events during the nine months that the ice is in place.
The Government of Canada, through the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency (ACOA), is providing $118,310 to the project through RInC while the City of Bathurst is investing $256,690.
“The City of Bathurst would like to thank the federal government for the contributions they have made to the many projects in our region, including today’s funding for the development of our Coronation Park and K.C. Irving Regional Centre. Both of these facilities are used by countless people, not only from Bathurst, but from the entire region,” said Mayor Brunet. “I wish to thank the many volunteers and our city staff for their hard work in bringing this project to fruition.”
Canada's Economic Action Plan is providing $500 million over two years for the RInC program to support the upgrading and renewal of recreational facilities in communities. RInC is delivered in Atlantic Canada by ACOA. Under RInC, the Government of Canada will typically fund up to 33 per cent of eligible costs. The remaining funding will be leveraged from other project stakeholders such as provincial, territorial, municipal and other partners. The federal contribution to any project receiving funding under the program will not exceed $1 million. Projects will be selected on the basis of merit and construction readiness, and must be completed before March 31, 2011.
For details on RInC project eligibility and how to submit an application, please refer to the program backgrounder on ACOA’s website at www.acoa-apeca.gc.ca.
For information on Canada's Economic Action Plan, please visit www.actionplan.gc.ca.
FOR BROADCAST USE:
Bathurst will soon enjoy a new and improved Coronation Park and KC Irving Regional Centre, thanks to a $118,000 contribution under the new federal Recreational Infrastructure Canada Program. The Honourable Greg Thompson, Minister of Veterans Affairs made the announcement today joined by local residents and City Mayor Stephen Brunet.
The project involves upgrades through revamping the trail system to accommodate outdoor enthusiasts and bike users. A second component to the project is the replacement of the ice floor cover at the KC Irving Regional Centre to accommodate other non-ice surface activities. The project will create employment and provide recreational opportunities to both local residents and tourists for years to come.
A total of $500 million over two years has been set aside through RInC to support upgrades and repairs to recreational facilities in communities throughout Canada. ACOA delivers RInC in Atlantic Canada. The fund, part of Canada’s Economic Action Plan, will help mitigate the impacts of the global economic recession by increasing construction activity in the recreational sector.
INFORMATION:
Erin Filliter
Press Secretary
Office of the Minister of State (ACOA)
613-941-7241
Katharine Sidenius
Senior Communications Officer
ACOA New Brunswick
506-452-3304
André Doucet
City Administrator/Treasurer
City of Bathurst
506-548-0733
