January 25, 2010
Forestburg, Alberta
Leon Benoit, Member of Parliament for Vegreville – Wainwright, on behalf of the Honourable Lynne Yelich, Minister of State for Western Economic Diversification, announced today federal funding to strengthen economic opportunities in Forestburg. Funding for this investment is being provided under the Recreational Infrastructure Canada (RInC) program, a major job creating investment from Canada's Economic Action Plan.
"I'm pleased that our Government, through the Economic Action Plan, is supporting Forestburg," said Leon Benoit, Member of Parliament for Vegreville – Wainwright. "This investment in the multi-purpose facility is helping to create jobs, while ensuring that residents have access to the recreational infrastructure that will strengthen our community for many years to come."
Federal funding of $1 million is provided for the upgrades through the Recreational Infrastructure Canada (RInC) program as part of Canada's Economic Action Plan. The Province of Alberta is contributing $250,000 through the Community Facilities Enhancement Program, while the Village of Forestburg is providing $1,305,440.
"With the construction of the new multi-use facility, Forestburg will have even more to offer its citizens," said Lindsay Blackett, Alberta's Minister of Culture and Community Spirit. "The new building will help offer a greater variety of activities, be more efficient to operate, and have a reduced environmental impact. I am pleased that the Government of Alberta is making this contribution to Forestburg's quality of life."
The Village of Forestburg will construct a multi-use facility featuring a year-round indoor arena that will replace the existing 54-year-old arena. The new facility will generate year-round revenue and have reduced maintenance and operation costs. The installation of both a new refrigeration system and a low-emissivity ceiling will make the facility environmentally friendly. The completed facility, which will also serve as the community's emergency response shelter, will significantly improve recreational services in Forestburg.
The Community Facilities Enhancement Program reinvests revenues generated from Alberta's provincial lotteries to empower local citizens and community organizations as they respond to local needs.
"Forestburg prides itself on the number of recreational facilities available to its residents and this completed facility, which may also serve as an emergency response shelter, will significantly improve recreational services for the people of Forestburg and surrounding communities," said Mayor Bob Coutts.
The Recreational Infrastructure Canada (RInC) program will invest $500 million in recreational facilities across Canada over a two-year period. It will provide a temporary economic stimulus that will help reduce the impacts of the global recession while renewing, upgrading and expanding recreational infrastructure in Canadian communities. A total of almost $153 million in RInC funding will be invested across the four western provinces.
RInC is part of Canada's Economic Action Plan, the Government of Canada's multi-faceted stimulus plan that will ensure a quick recovery from the current economic downturn. Western Economic Diversification Canada is delivering the initiative in the four western provinces.
For information on Canada's Economic Action Plan, please visit http://www.actionplan.gc.ca/.
For additional information, contact:
Donna Kinley
Regional Manager, Communications
Western Economic Diversification Canada
Telephone: (780) 495-6892
Village of Forestburg
Monica Northey
Chief Administrative Officer
780 582 3668
Parker Hogan
Director, Communications
Alberta Culture and Community Spirit
Telephone: (780) 427-6530
WD Toll-Free Number:1 888 338-WEST (9378)
Teletypewriter (TTY): 1 877 303-3388
Website: WD is online at www.wd-deo.gc.ca.
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