Rivière-du-Loup, Quebec, May 21, 2010 – A new natural-surface soccer field will soon be built and the indoor pool renovated at Rivière-du-Loup CÉGEP , today jointly announced Bernard Généreux, Member of Parliament for Montmagny–L'Islet–Kamouraska–Rivière-du-Loup, acting on behalf of the Honourable Denis Lebel, Minister of State for Canada Economic Development, and Jean D'Amour, Member of the Quebec National Assembly for Rivière-du-Loup, acting on behalf of Michelle Courchesne, Quebec Minister of Education, Recreation and Sports.
This project, which will cost a total of $878,735, will be carried out thanks to $439,367 in joint government funding contributed in equal part by the governments of Quebec and Canada, with the CÉGEP and Municipality of Rivière-du-Loup assuming the remainder of the costs.
The initiative involves renovating the pool at Rivière-du-Loup CÉGEP and bringing it up to standard by replacing the existing diving boards with regulation one- and three-metre boards, installing bleachers and an access way for persons with reduced mobility and repainting the pool basin. The project also calls for the laying of a natural-surface soccer field on the site of an old track that has been out of commission since 1971. The field will be equipped with bleachers, a net screen and a lighting system to extend playing time.
“Many of our recreational facilities are outdated and in need of renovation. However, restoring sports infrastructure entails costs that cities and schools are simply unable to assume 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 announce this funding for a project I know will greatly improve quality of life for the entire Rivière-du-Loup population,” explained Bernard Généreux.
While the municipality already has four natural-surface fields, they are no longer sufficient to meet the growing popularity of soccer and none is equipped with a lighting system. The pool at Rivière-du-Loup CÉGEP , for its part, is the only 25-metre, eight-lane swimming facility in the entire eastern Quebec region.
“The importance of this pool for the region is undeniable, while the addition of a fifth soccer field will help reduce the stress on the other fields and thereby ensure the longer-term sustainability of this entire infrastructure. Through these investments, the Government of Quebec is proud to be encouraging the population to adopt and maintain an active and healthy lifestyle. I hope a great many people will take advantage of these modern and safe facilities,” added Jean D'Amour.
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 .
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 .
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
Elisabeth Côté
Political Attaché
Office of Jean D'Amour,
MNA for Rivière-du-Loup
Tel.: 418 868-0822
Ève Cardinal
Special Assistant, Communications
Office of the Honourable Denis Lebel
Canada Economic Development
Tel.: 819-997-3319
E-mail: eve.cardinal@dec-ced.gc.ca
