Saint-Michel-des-Saints, Quebec, September 1, 2010 – The multipurpose skating rink in Saint-Michel-des-Saints will soon be equipped with a permanent roof, today jointly announced the Honourable Denis Lebel, Minister of State for Canada Economic Development, and Guy Ouellette, Member of the National Assembly for Chomedey, acting on behalf of Line Beauchamp, Minister of Education, Recreation and Sports.
Necessitating a total investment of $918,934, the project will be carried out thanks to $459,467 in combined government funding contributed in equal parts by the governments of Canada and Quebec, with the Municipality of Saint-Michel-des-Saints assuming $202,033 of the project’s cost, and the Matawinie RCM Pacte rural investing the remaining $257,434.
“Many of our recreational facilities have become outdated and are in need of renovation. But in a period of economic slowdown like the one we are currently experiencing, it is difficult for most municipalities to shoulder the costs of such projects. 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 sports and recreational facilities across the country. I am delighted to see this project come to fruition because I know it will considerably improve the quality of life of Saint-Michel-des-Saints residents,” explained Minister of State Lebel.
Construction of a permanent roof will maximize the use of the outdoor skating rink: it will increase its use in the winter months, enhance ice conditions and allow for sports activities throughout the year.
“By investing in this project, we want to encourage Saint-Michel-des-Saints residents to be physically active. We know that ice sports are very popular, with the young and not-so-young alike. Everone will be thrilled to have greater access to the skating rink as well as better conditions in which to enjoy their sports activities,” added Mr. Ouellette.
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 www.mels.gouv.qc.ca.
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Sources:
Dave Leclerc
Press Secretary to the Minister of Education, Recreation and Sports
Tel.: 418-644-0664
Benoît Fortin
Special Assistant, Communications
Office of the Honourable Denis Lebel
Canada Economic Development
Tel.: 819-997-3319
