Mirabel, Quebec, November 16, 2009 – Jean-Laurin arena will soon undergo a major refurbishing, today jointly announced Michelle Courchesne, Quebec's Minister of Education, Recreation and Sports, and the Honourable Denis Lebel, Minister of State for Canada Economic Development. The project, which will require a total investment of $2,207,099, will be carried out in partnership with the City of Mirabel and benefit from $1,081,300 in combined government funding contributed in equal part by the governments of Quebec and Canada.
This infrastructure project calls for the replacement of the arena's refrigeration system and renovation of its locker room area. Resulting in a complete reconfiguration of the premises, these improvements will also benefit volunteers and facilitate the practice of figure skating choreographies.
"Standards are changing and it is essential that our infrastructure be able to keep pace. If we want to encourage Quebecers to be physically active, we have to provide them with sports facilities that meet their needs. I am pleased that our governments are lending their financial support to the City of Mirabel in its project to bring Jean-Laurin arena up to standard. Replacing the facility's refrigeration system, expanding its locker rooms and adding new areas are sure to help make this arena an even more enjoyable, user-friendly place for residents to come together and practice sports," explained Minister Courchesne.
"Many of our recreational facilities are in need of renovation and improvement. But in a recession like the one we are currently experiencing, it is difficult to undertake such costly projects. That is why the Government of Canada introduced the Recreational Infrastructure Canada Program, through which $500 million will be invested over two years in the modernization of sports and recreational facilities across the country. I am delighted to see this project come to fruition because I know it will help improve quality of life for Mirabel residents and for the many users of this facility," added Minister of State Lebel.
The governments of Canada and Quebec signed an agreement to accelerate the execution of recreational infrastructure projects in Quebec over the next two years. To that end, the Government of Canada will invest $37.4 million and the Government of Quebec at least that amount in recreational infrastructure projects carried out in cost-sharing partnership with municipal administrations or local organizations. These investments are thus expected to generate greater financial leverage, as is the case with the other infrastructure programs.
The funding announced today has been awarded through the Programme de soutien aux installations sportives et récréatives of the Government of Quebec's Fonds pour le développement du sport et de l'activité physique and through the Government of Canada's Recreational Infrastructure Canada Program.
About the Recreational Infrastructure Canada Program
Established under the economic action plan adopted by the federal government last January, the Recreational Infrastructure Canada Program is aimed at stimulating immediate economic recovery and reducing the short-term impacts of the global recession. Government investment in this area will help create new jobs and improve the population's health and quality of life. For more on this plan, see www.actionplan.gc.ca.
About the Fonds pour le développement du sport et de l'activité physique
The Fonds pour le développement du sport et de l'activité physique was created by the Government of Quebec to ensure all of the province's regions access to new and improved sports facilities in order to promote healthier lifestyles among their populations. For further details on this initiative, visit http://www.mels.gouv.qc.ca.
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Sources:
Tamara Davis
Press Secretary
Minister of Education, Recreation and Sports
Tel.: 418-644-0664
Simon Bachand
Press Secretary
Office of the Honourable Denis Lebel
Canada Economic Development
Tel.: 613-996-6236
E-mail: simon.bachand@dec-ced.gc.ca
