Laval, Quebec, May 10, 2010 – An artificial turf soccer-football field will be installed over Collège Montmorency's existing natural grass field, today jointly announced the Honourable Denis Lebel, Minister of State for Canada Economic Development, and Alain Paquet, Member of the Quebec National Assembly for Laval-des-Rapides and Parliamentary Assistant to the Premier, acting on behalf of Michelle Courchesne, Quebec Minister of Education, Recreation and Sports.
Necessitating an overall investment of $2,866,192, this project will be carried out thanks to $1,433,096 in combined government funding contributed in equal part by the governments of Quebec and Canada, with the City of Laval and Collège Montmorency investing $1,000,000 and $433,096 respectively in the initiative.
The project involves covering the school's existing soccer field, which is in poor condition, with a synthetic surface and installing a running track around its periphery.
"Many of our recreational facilities are in need of renovation and improvement. But restoring public infrastructure entails costs that municipalities and schools are unable to assume entirely on their own. 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 our sports and recreational facilities across the country. I am delighted to see this project carried out in that I know it will help improve quality of life for Laval residents," noted Minister of State Lebel.
Artificial turf fields offer a number of important advantages over natural grass surfaces, including lower maintenance costs, fewer injuries and longer playing time.
"Soccer and football are sports that have been experiencing a surge in popularity, be it at the school, extracurricular or associative levels. As things currently stand, the region's playing surfaces are insufficient to meet demand. The addition of this modern, durable and safe surface is sure to be an asset for the region's sports enthusiasts. I have no doubt they will make good use of it!" added Alain Paquet.
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 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 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
Office of the Minister of Education, Recreation and Sports
Tel.: 418-644-0664
Jean-François Lessard
Political Attaché
Office of the MNA for Laval-des-Rapides
Tel.: 450-668-6077
Simon Bachand
Press Secretary
Office of the Honourable Denis Lebel
Canada Economic Development
Tel.: 613-996-6236
