Sainte-Thècle, Quebec, January 28, 2011 – Julie Boulet, Quebec Minister of Employment and Social Solidarity, Minister responsible for the Mauricie region and Member of the National Assembly for Laviolette, today inaugurated, on behalf of Line Beauchamp, Minister of Education, Recreation and Sports, new winter sports facilities at Parc Saint-Jean-Optimiste in Sainte-Thècle. The Honourable Denis Lebel, Minister of State for Canada Economic Development, who was unable to attend the event, welcomes the successful conclusion of this project.
In the view of the Honourable Denis Lebel, Minister of State for Canada Economic Development, "this project will benefit the community in many ways: the new facilities at Parc Saint-Jean-Optimiste will improve the quality of life of the residents of Sainte-Thècle and the neighbouring municipalities while affording them the opportunity to practice a variety of sports in a safe environment."
"This project is a fine example of a local concerted effort. If we want to encourage citizens to adopt an active and healthy lifestyle, we have to offer them accessible, appealing and safe facilities. The community of Sainte-Thècle has understood this. Having these modern, quality sports facilities is sure to keep residents healthy and fit," commented Minister Boulet.
Redevelopment of the municipal park primarily involved the construction of a multi-purpose centre near skating trails, and a winter slide. This summer, a new outdoor skating rink and a skateboard park will be built and swing sets for children and a park-wide lighting system, installed.
All of this work necessitated an overall investment of $381,000. The municipality of Sainte-Thècle ($161,000), the Caisse populaire de Sainte-Thècle–Saint-Adelphe ($100,000) and the Mékinac Regional County Municipality ($20,000) assumed a significant portion of the costs, namely $281,000, and the remainder of the financing, or $100,000, was assumed in equal parts by the Government of Canada, through Canada Economic Development, and the Government of Quebec, through the Department of Education, Recreation and Sports.
The two-year Canada-Quebec Recreational Infrastructure Canada Program Agreement was signed by the two levels of government to accelerate the execution of various recreational infrastructure projects in Quebec. Under this agreement, the Government of Canada is investing $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.
About the Recreational Infrastructure Canada Program (RInC)
Established under the economic action plan adopted by the federal government in January 2009, the Recreational Infrastructure Canada Program is aimed at reducing the short-term impacts of the global recession. Government investment in this area will help create new jobs and improve the population's 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 fund, visit http://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
Nicolas Murgia
Press Secretary to the Minister of Employment and Social Solidarity
Tel.: 418-643-4810
