Burlington, Ontario, August 23, 2010 − Construction is underway across Burlington, with infrastructure projects on track to improve parks, trails, arenas and transit services, provide a new community fire station, and make City Hall more energy-efficient.
The Honourable Lisa Raitt, Minister of Labour and Member of Parliament for Halton; Mike Wallace, Member of Parliament for Burlington; the Honourable Margarett Best, Ontario’s Minister of Health Promotion and Sport; Dave Levac, Member of Provincial Parliament for Brant; and Cam Jackson, Mayor of the City of Burlington, today marked the progress of 12 infrastructure projects in the City of Burlington.
“These infrastructure improvements encourage physical activity throughout the city and will also support a number of key municipal services,” said Minister Raitt on behalf of the Honourable Chuck Strahl, Minister of Transport, Infrastructure and Communities. “By investing in important community projects, we are helping families today and tomorrow.”
“Through Canada's Economic Action Plan, the federal government is stimulating the economy and creating jobs for Ontarians," said MP Wallace. "These local projects will enhance facilities and improve services and the quality of life for residents in our community."
“The McGuinty government understands the importance of infrastructure investments like these, which will stimulate the economy and create local jobs. The projects we are celebrating today support our government’s Open Ontario plan to create new opportunities for jobs and growth,” said Minister Best.
"The government of Ontario has stepped up to the plate by investing stimulus dollars for these very important projects in Burlington," said MPP Levac. "By investing in these projects we are helping regions and cities create jobs and expand their economies."
“The City of Burlington has a track record of success in working with our federal and provincial government partners to improve the quality of life for residents and businesses,” said Mayor Jackson. “Many of these projects will provide Burlington residents with improved public transit services as well as recreation and sports facilities to ensure greater access to quality services and programs.”
In total, the governments of Canada and Ontario and the City of Burlington are providing up to $39,575,000 toward these projects. The 12 projects are: new city park construction, hydro corridor bike path improvements, Centennial Bike Path resurfacing, improvements to the transit operations centre, a new Northeast Fire Station, a new accessibility bridge, a building automation system at City Hall, improvements to the Appleby Ice Centre, as well as Mountainside Park, Duncaster, Hidden Valley and Nelson trails, and investments in the Orchard Park soccer field, and the Nelson facility.
The Government of Canada's contributions come from the Economic Action Plan, which provides approximately $16 billion over two years to modernize a broad range of infrastructure. These investments are helping to create and maintain jobs across Canada for the benefit of all Canadians, and will ensure the country emerges from the economic downturn with more modern and greener infrastructure.
The contribution from the Province of Ontario comes from its 2009 provincial budget that is supporting more than 300,000 jobs and strengthening Ontario's economy.
Since 2007, the governments of Canada and Ontario have committed more than $13 billion in funding to over 6,400 infrastructure projects across the province to stimulate the economy and create jobs.
Contacts:
Constituency Office of Lisa Raitt, MP
905-693-0166
Constituency Office of Mike Wallace, MP
905-639-5757
Constituency Office of Dave Levac, MPP
519-759-0361
Office of Mayor Cam Jackson
905-335-7607
Infrastructure Canada
613-948-1148
Thanks to joint investments from the federal, provincial, and municipal governments through the federal Infrastructure Stimulus Fund (ISF) program, the Recreational Infrastructure Canada program in Ontario (RInC), and the Ontario Recreation Program (Ontario REC), the City of Burlington is making improvements to a range of municipal, buildings, outdoor activity venues and recreation facilities. Residents and visitors will be able to enjoy the new and enhanced services for years to come.
The benefits connected to these projects include: creating barrier-free access; adding sports fields; improving bike paths and trails; expanding arena and pool amenities; constructing a new transit operations centre and a northeast fire station; and installing an energy-saving building automation system at City Hall.
The governments of Canada and Ontario will each contribute up to $10,858,332 toward the combined cost of these ISF and RInC/Ontario REC projects, while the City of Burlington will contribute the balance of the total eligible project costs of up to $39,575,000.
ISF Projects in the City of Burlington
The federal and provincial governments, along with the City of Burlington, have made significant investments in the city’s infrastructure through the ISF. The city will realize long-lasting economic, environmental, and cultural benefits and Burlington’s citizens will benefit from better access to fitness and recreation activities, and improved city services, thanks to the projects.
The governments of Canada and Ontario will each contribute up to approximately $8,350,000 toward these ISF projects. The City of Burlington will contribute the balance of the combined total eligible project costs of up to $25,050,000.
To improve and expand Burlington’s infrastructure, each funding partner will contribute up to approximately:
- $2,300,000 to construct a new city park;
- $600,000 to upgrade the Hydro corridor bike path;
- $833,333 to upgrade the Centennial bike path;
- $2,866,667 to renovate and expand the Transit Operations Centre;
- $750,000 to design and build the Northeast Fire Station;
- $500,000 to construct an accessibility bridge to link an existing parkade and a new performing arts centre; and
- $500,000 to install a corporate-wide building automation system at City Hall.
RInC/Ontario REC Projects in the City of Burlington
The federal and provincial governments, along with the City of Burlington, have made notable investments in the city’s recreation infrastructure through the RInC/Ontario REC Program. The city will be able to provide its citizens with improved access to fitness and recreation activities and better facilities thanks to the many planned improvements.
To refresh and expand Burlington’s recreational infrastructure, each funding partner will contribute up to approximately:
- $825,000 to enhance and redevelop Mountainside Park;
- $206,666 to improve Duncaster, Hidden Valley and Nelson Park trails;
- $266,666 to install artificial turf in place of grass at Orchard Community Park sports field; and
- $210,000 to retrofit and expand arena/pool change rooms and washrooms at Nelson facility.
The federal and provincial governments will also each contribute up to $1 million to expand the Appleby Ice Centre to include two new rinks, while the City of Burlington will contribute the balance of the $10 million project.
