Laval, Quebec, January 31, 2011 – With the renovation of Laval's Centre sportif Val-des-Arbres now complete, Alain Paquet, Member of the National Assembly for Laval-des-Rapides and Parliamentary Assistant to the Premier of Quebec, acting on behalf of Line Beauchamp, Minister of Education, Recreation and Sports, took part in a special ceremony today marking the project's completion. The Honourable Denis Lebel, Minister of Canada Economic Development, applauded the successful execution of this infrastructure work.
In the view of the Honourable Denis Lebel, Minister of State for Canada Economic Development, "this project is sure to benefit the community on many levels by improving the quality of life of Laval residents as well as of the sports associations that train and play at the Val-des-Arbres centre."
Necessitating an overall investment of $2,201,500, this project was carried out thanks to $1,100,750 in joint government funding contributed in equal part by the governments of Canada and Quebec, with the Complexe Multi-Sports de Laval Inc. investing $374,255 and the City of Laval $726,495 in the initiative.
"This centre is home to many organizations that have been bringing life to the local sports scene for many years. Thanks to them, children and adults alike have access to a variety of services that allow them to lead an active and healthy lifestyle. This investment from our governments in recreational and sports infrastructures has been made for the well-being of the Laval population," stated Alain Paquet.
The renovation project involved carrying out major improvements to the interior and exterior of the centre, including repainting the building and replacing its roof and exterior covering. The facility's lobby was also brought up to standard, requiring the addition of a new emergency exit, and the changing rooms were expanded and renovated.
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.
The funding for this project was awarded through the Recreational Infrastructure Canada Program and the Fonds pour le développement du sport et de l'activité physique's Programme de soutien aux installations sportives et récréatives.
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 has helped counter the effects of the global recession on Canada. Government investment in this area has served to 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
Office of 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
