New facility serves as community arts and cultural hub
Saanich, British Columbia, September 10, 2011 – A new arts centre opened in the District of Saanich today, providing art lovers with a place to learn, create and become engaged in all that the arts have to offer.
Dignitaries took part in an unveiling ceremony at The Arts Centre at Cedar Hill Community Recreation Complex to welcome residents into the new space.
“The new Arts Centre at Cedar Hill is a dynamic and engaging venue for people from the community and surrounding areas to participate in artistic and cultural activities,” said the Honourable Denis Lebel, Minister of Transport, Infrastructure and Communities. “Our Economic Action Plan focuses on infrastructure investments like this that stimulate the economy, create jobs, and benefit the well-being of all communities.”
“I am truly excited about the opportunities this new Arts Centre offers for the residents of Saanich and from all over Greater Victoria,” said Murray Coell, MLA for Saanich North and the Islands. “With almost 30 jobs created during the life of this project, it’s also a great investment in our local economy as well.”
“We are proud to open our community arts centre and grateful for the financial contributions from the federal and provincial governments and the support of Saanich taxpayers,” said District of Saanich Mayor Frank Leonard. “This is quickly becoming a regional asset that includes public art which has won acclaim. Come and enjoy; come and participate.”
The arts centre adds 11,000 square feet of new space to the Cedar Hill Community Recreation Complex, and features a community art gallery, a multi-purpose room primarily for children’s programs, two fine arts studios, a pottery studio and improved accessibility.
The governments ofCanadaandBritish Columbiaeach committed approximately $1.3 million to the project under the Infrastructure Stimulus Fund. The District of Saanich provided the remaining funds toward the total estimated project costs of about $4.7 million.
As part of the Government of Canada’s Economic Action Plan, the Infrastructure Stimulus Fund is providing funding to approximately 4,100 infrastructure projects across the country.
Since March 2009, the federal government has committed over $505 million to more than 440 projects – most of which are either complete or nearing completion – under the Infrastructure Stimulus Fund acrossBritish Columbia.
Since October 2008, over $5.6 billion has been committed by the province to over 900 infrastructure projects inBritish Columbia, which are estimated to create more than 36,000 jobs over the life of the projects.
For further information on the Government of Canada's infrastructure investments in British Columbia, visit www.creatingjobs.gc.ca.
To learn more about Canada’s Economic Action Plan, visit www.actionplan.gc.ca
Contacts:
Pierre Floréa
Press Secretary
Office of the Minister of Transport, Infrastructure and Communities
613-991-0700
Craig Heinz
B.C. Government Caucus Communications
250-356-5352
Craig.Heinz@leg.bc.ca
Carole Ireland
Cedar Hill Recreation Centre Manager
250-475-5406
carole.ireland@saanich.ca
InfrastructureCanada
613-948-1148 or
Toll-free
1-877-250-7154
