Patrons of Saint John’s Harbour Station will soon benefit from a new, state-of-the art video system, thanks to investments by the federal and provincial governments. Saint John MP Rodney Weston, on behalf of the Honourable Keith Ashfield, Minister of National Revenue, Minister of the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency, and Minister for the Atlantic Gateway, and Energy Minister Jack Keir today announced a combined investment of over $700,000 in upgrades to the facility.
The federal government is contributing $352,592 through the Recreational Infrastructure Canada (RInC) Program, a key economic stimulus initiative under Canada’s Economic Action Plan. The Province of New Brunswick and the City of Saint John are each investing $350,592, to complete the project.
“Through the Economic Action Plan, our government is ensuring that communities like Saint John benefit from stimulus funds through improved recreational and community facilities,” said MP Weston “Our investment of over $350,000 will enhance the customer experience and help attract new events to the facility, while at the same time creating jobs and reducing the effect of the economic slowdown.”
“Our investment in this infrastructure improvement project will help bring economic benefits to Saint John, the Fundy region and New Brunswick,” said Energy Minister Jack Keir, on behalf of Business New Brunswick Minister Victor Boudreau, who is also minister responsible for the Regional Development Corporation.
This project is to retrofit Harbour Station’s original clock and scoreboard system into a state-of-the-art computer system, which will feed into a high-resolution HD video system. The modernized facility will help the City of Saint John attract new events and generate economic opportunities for the City.
“Harbour Station is central to Saint John’s reputation as a great venue for major events, and this upgrade will help the city attract more entertainment and sport,” said Ivan Court, Mayor of Saint John. “The Canadian government’s economic stimulus programs continue to help Canada’s original city in its 225th year.
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 across the country. RInC is delivered in Atlantic Canada by ACOA. Projects are selected on the basis of merit and construction readiness, and must be completed before March 31, 2011.
For information on Canada's Economic Action Plan, please visit www.actionplan.gc.ca.
FOR BROADCAST USE:
Saint John MP Rodney Weston and Energy Minister Jack Keir today joined Saint John City Councillor Peter McGuire to announce funding for upgrades to Saint John’s Harbour Station. The project will retrofit the facility’s original clock and scoreboard system into a new, state-of-the-art computer and video system.
The Government of Canada, through ACOA’s Recreational Infrastructure Canada Fund, the province of New Brunswick and the City of Saint John are each investing more than $350,000 in the initiative.
-30-
INFORMATION:
Erin Filliter Director of Communications
Office of the Minister of National Revenue,
Minister of the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency, and
Minister for the Atlantic Gateway
613-941-7241
Bruce Macfarlane
Corporate Secretary
Regional Development Corporation
506-444-4606
Sharon Stanford-Rutter
Senior Communications Officer
ACOA NB
506-451-2677
Leah Fitzgerald
Director of Marketing and Communications
City of Saint John
506-648-3714
Mike Caddell
General Manager,
Harbour Station
506-632-6109
