Maniwaki, Quebec, November 26, 2010 – Stéphanie Vallée, Member of the Quebec National Assembly for Gatineau and Parliamentary Assistant to the Premier of Quebec, today attended, on behalf of Laurent Lessard, Minister of Municipal Affairs, Regions and Land Occupancy and Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, a ceremony marking the start of construction on a multipurpose curling centre in Maniwaki. Ms. Vallée took this opportunity to remind those present that joint financial assistance of $1,076,200 was provided under the Communities Component of the Building Canada Fund – Quebec to carry out this project. The Honourable Lawrence Cannon, Minister of Foreign Affairs and Member of Parliament for Pontiac, on behalf of the Honourable Denis Lebel, Minister of State for Canada Economic Development, welcomed the start of the work which has been funded in part by Canada Economic Development.
The 830-square metre multipurpose curling centre will comprise two curling rinks totalling 560 square metres as well as a reception and service pavilion including a locker room, washrooms, a kitchenette and other services. The project also involves outdoor work which will include building a 44-space parking lot, landscaping and beautifying the grounds. Once completed, the new curling centre will enhance the recreational infrastructure offering, helping to retain local curlers while providing a venue for summer activities such as ball hockey, badminton and volleyball.
"The Government of Canada is pleased that the City of Maniwaki is building a modern new sports and recreation facility that will allow residents to enjoy their sports activities in a cleaner environment respectful of their health and safety," said Minister Cannon.
"In funding this project, the Government of Quebec is moving forward to ensure the province's municipalities have infrastructure that meets their unique realities while fostering sustainable development. By injecting new capital into the Quebec Infrastructure Plan, our government is looking to accelerate the execution of numerous infrastructure projects throughout the province, like this one in Maniwaki, in an effort to improve Quebecers' well-being, create jobs and promote a high-performance economy. In this way, we are leaving the municipality a legacy of quality infrastructure with which to face the challenges of the future," added MNA Vallée.
Completion of this project will necessitate an overall eligible investment of $1,614,300. The governments of Quebec and Canada will each contribute $538,100 toward the work, for a total of $1,076,200 in combined government funding, with the City of Maniwaki investing the remaining third, or $538,100, of the project's costs.
The Communities Component of the Building Canada Fund – Quebec is a cost-sharing initiative aimed at funding infrastructure projects in communities with fewer than 100,000 inhabitants. These communities are thus able to use this assistance to improve infrastructure that is in major need of revitalization, including water treatment plants, water supply systems and cultural and sports centres.
The contribution from the Government of Canada has been awarded through Canada's Economic Action Plan. To learn more about this plan, visit www.actionplan.gc.ca.
For further information on the Government of Quebec's Quebec Infrastructure Plan, see www.infrastructures.gouv.qc.ca.
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Sources:
Benoît Fortin
Special Assistant, Communications
Office of the Honourable Denis Lebel
Canada Economic Development
Tel.: 819-997-3319
Luce Farrell
Political Attaché
Constituency office of the MNA for Gatineau
Tel.: 819-441-2626
Caroline Saint-Pierre
Communications Branch
Department of municipal Affairs, Regions and Land Occupancy
Tel.: 418-691-2015
