Gander, Newfoundland and Labrador, July 29, 2011 – The Town of Gander today celebrated the official opening of its new fire hall, which will improve safety and fire protection services for residents.
Designed with the future in mind, the new building is 1,330 square metres in size and is geographically better located to service the projected growth of the municipality. The building’s main features include increased space to house longer ladders, a hazardous materials trailer, offices, training rooms, as well as an emergency operations centre.
“Our government is proud to have invested in Gander’s new fire hall. This project not only created jobs, but will allow Gander firefighters to effectively and safely carry out their work,” said the Honourable Peter Penashue, Minister of Intergovernmental Affairs. “Most importantly though, today we are celebrating an exciting project that will help to keep Gander safe for many years to come.”
“This new fire hall is a tremendous addition to the Town of Gander, which as part of a modern fire fighting service will serve both the firefighters who work at the facility and area residents,” said the Honourable Kathy Dunderdale, Premier of Newfoundland and Labrador. “Our government has been pleased to partner with both the Government of Canada and the Town of Gander to make this project a reality and I look forward to the many years of fire and emergency response capability this facility will provide.”
“This truly is a proud day for the Citizens of Gander,” said Mayor Claude Elliott, “but we have to remember that this project is not about today. It's about the future. The science and technology of firefighting has changed dramatically over the past few decades, and so have the make-up and the role of the department itself. This beautiful new building is not only designed to accommodate these new realities, but also to grow with our community and to provide the flexibility to adapt as technologies and methods continue to evolve. We are extremely proud of the men and women of Gander Fire Rescue and it gives me great pleasure to be able to provide a facility that reflects the professionalism and dedication that they bring to the job every day.”
The Government of Canada is contributing close to $1.7 million to this project under the Infrastructure Stimulus Fund. The Government of Newfoundland and Labrador is contributing over $1.8 million while the Town of Gander is contributing $1.5 million. The total final cost of the project will be approximately $5.2 million.
Federal funding for this project comes from the Government of Canada’s $4-billion Infrastructure Stimulus Fund, which is providing funding to more than 4,100 infrastructure projects across the country.
Since March 2009, the Government of Canada has committed $58.8 million in funding under the Infrastructure Stimulus Fund to 27 projects across Newfoundland and Labrador.
Since 2009, the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador has committed $36.6 million toward 10 municipal infrastructure projects through the Infrastructure Stimulus Fund.
For further information on Infrastructure Canada’s investments in Newfoundland and Labrador, visit www.creatingjobs.gc.ca.
To learn more about Canada’s Economic Action Plan, visit www.actionplan.gc.ca.
For more information, contact:
Vanessa Schneider
Director of Communications
Office of Canada’s Minister of Transport, Infrastructure and Communities
613-991-0700
Glenda Power
Director of Communications
Office of the Premier
709-729-3960
glendapower@gov.nl.ca
Milly Brown
Press Secretary
Office of the Premier
709-729-4304, 631-8477
millybrown@gov.nl.ca
Infrastructure Canada
613-948-1148 or
Toll free 1-877-250-7154
