Chibougamau, Quebec, January 21, 2011 – The Honourable Denis Lebel, Minister of State for Canada Economic Development, today joined Pierre Corbeil, Quebec Minister responsible for Aboriginal Affairs, Minister responsible for the Abitibi-Témiscamingue and Nord-du-Québec regions and Member of the National Assembly for Abitibi-Est, acting on behalf of Laurent Lessard, Minister of Municipal Affairs, Regions and Land Occupancy and Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, in announcing that the $1,969,754 in joint government funding initially granted to the City of Chibougamau through the Communities Component of the Building Canada Fund – Quebec for the construction of a new ski chalet in Obalski Park has been raised to $2,454,284.
This $484,530 increase has been made necessary by the addition of certain works, including the decontamination of the site, replacement of the wastewater treatment system, addition of a treatment system and drinking water tank and installation of a geothermal heating system to meet the goals of sustainable development and reduce the future building's operating costs.
"The Government of Canada is delighted that the City of Chibougamau is equipping itself with the kind of modern facilities that are indispensable to the health and safety of its citizens. This new infrastructure will allow users to practice their favourite outdoor activities year-round," commented Minister of State Lebel, who was unable to be present at today's announcement.
"In supporting the construction of a new ski chalet in Obalski Park, 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 Chibougamau, in an effort to improve the well-being of Quebecers, 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 Minister Corbeil.
The project mainly involves demolishing the existing chalet, installing a septic tank, laying access roads and a parking lot and completely rebuilding the chalet to include an eating area, equipment rental centre, ski school office, first aid area and all of the regular conveniences generally found in such a facility. A lighting system will also be installed on the ski hills and the chairlifts repainted. In addition to accommodating downhill skiers, the chalet will serve the interests of cross-country skiers, snowshoers and, depending on the season, hikers, cyclists and mountain bikers.
Factoring in this additional financial assistance, the governments of Quebec and Canada will now each contribute $1,227,142 toward the project, for a total of $2,454,284 in combined government funding, while the City of Chibougamau will invest the remaining third, or $1,227,142, of the initiative's total cost of $3,681,426.
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 Government of Canada's share of the additional funding announced today 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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Benoît Fortin
Special Assistant, Communications
Office of the Honourable Denis Lebel
Canada Economic Development
Tel.: 819-997-3319
Hélène Sauvageau
Political Attaché
Office of the MNA for Abitibi-Est
Tel.: 418-646-9131
