Canada-Quebec Recreational Infrastructure Canada Program Agreement
Saint-Hyacinthe, Quebec, April 16, 2010 – A new synthetic turf soccer field will soon be built next to Polyvalente Hyacinthe-Delorme, today jointly announced the Honourable Denis Lebel, Minister of State for Canada Economic Development, and Nicole Ménard, Quebec Minister of Tourism, Minister responsible for the Montérégie Region and Member of the National Assembly for Laporte, acting on behalf of Michelle Courchesne, Minister of Education, Recreation and Sports.
Necessitating an overall investment of $2,060,649, this project will be made possible by $963,757 in government funding contributed in equal parts by the governments of Quebec and Canada, with the City of Saint-Hyacinthe investing the remainder of the project’s costs.
The project involves the installation of a synthetic turf, lighting system and bleachers for about 100 spectators.
“By participating in this initiative, our government is moving forward to ensure that municipalities have infrastructure focussed on sustainable development,” said Minister of State Lebel. “I am delighted to see this project come to fruition because it will help improve quality of life for all Saint-Hyacinthe residents. Quality infrastructure is a key element of any modern, wealth-building economy.”
“This mega-project means that in future, Saint-Hyacinthe will be able to host regional and provincial competitions. By offering our youth a new soccer field, we are certainly meeting a real need. Indeed, the number of soccer fans has almost tripled in 10 years. Such enthusiasm is a clear message that our young people want to practice their favourite sport!” noted Minister Ménard.
There are a number of advantages to synthetic fields, including lower maintenance costs, fewer injuries and more playing time.
The governments of Canada and Quebec signed an agreement to accelerate the execution of recreational infrastructure projects in Quebec by March 31, 2011. To that end, the Government of Canada will invest $76 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 Fonds pour le développement du sport et de l’activité physique and through the Recreational Infrastructure Canada Program.
About the Recreational Infrastructure Canada Program
Established under the economic action plan adopted by the federal government in January 2009, 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 to the 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
André Poirier
Political Advisor
Office of the Minister of Tourism and Minister responsible for the Montérégie Region
Tel.: 450-672-1885
