Lacolle, Quebec, May 10, 2010 – The Municipality of Lacolle will soon be able to construct a bicycle path between routes 221 and 223 that will link up to the Route Verte cycling network, today announced the Honourable Denis Lebel, Minister of State for Canada Economic Development, and Stéphane Billette, Member of the Quebec National Assembly for Huntingdon, acting on behalf of Michelle Courchesne, Minister of Education, Recreation and Sports.
Necessitating an overall investment of $430,476, this project will be carried out thanks to $215,238 in government funding contributed in equal parts by the governments of Quebec and Canada, with the Municipality of Lacolle investing the remainder of the project’s costs.
The project involves constructing a 2.25 kilometre stretch of bicycle path between routes 221 and 223 to join up with Route Verte 2. This addition will further enhance the cycling network of the municipality, which had already paved a 1.55 kilometre section of an existing bikeway last year.
“Many of our recreational facilities are in need of renovation and improvement. But it is difficult for municipalities to take on the full costs of restoring public amenities. That is why the federal government 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 come to fruition, in that it promises to improve the quality of life of Lacolle residents”, stated Minister of State Lebel.
The installation of fencing between the bicycle path and a rail line still in operation will reinforce safety for users. As an added precaution, devices will be installed to oblige cyclists to cross the tracks on foot.
“Construction of this bicycle path will be a great opportunity for citizens to enjoy safe cycling and thus stay, or become, active. What’s more, this link-up, created in partnership with neighbouring municipalities and the United States, will increase tourism and generate significant economic spinoffs for Lacolle. The connection to the Route Verte will bring us one step closer to the cycling Quebec of tomorrow!” commented MNA Billette.
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
