Saint-Hyacinthe, Quebec, November 3, 2011 – On the occasion of the inauguration of the new Aquatic Centre in Saint-Hyacinthe, the Honourable Denis Lebel, Minister of Transport, Infrastructure and Communities and Minister of the Economic Development Agency of Canada for the Regions of Quebec, joined Nicole Ménard, Member of the Quebec National Assembly for Laporte, Minister of Tourism and Minister responsible for the Montérégie Region, acting on behalf of Laurent Lessard, Minister of Municipal Affairs, Regions and Land Occupancy, in noting that $10,589,916 in joint government funding was awarded to the City for the execution of this project through the Communities Component of the Building Canada Fund – Quebec.
“The importance of modern public facilities is a well-established fact. That is why the Government of Canada provides concrete support to a wide range of projects dedicated to improving the health and quality of life of our citizens,” said Minister Lebel.
“I am delighted to celebrate the grand opening of Saint-Hyacinthe’s new Aquatic Centre, which will meet the growing needs of many aquatic disciplines, sports associations and schools, notably as part of Quebec’s sport-study program. The Maskoutan population now has access to safe, modern sports and recreational facilities. In supporting this project, our government is promoting physical activity among Quebecers in order to improve their health through sport development. The new centre is an important contribution because it guarantees the community quality services in the context of sustainable development,” added Minister Nicole Ménard.
The project presented by the City of Saint-Hyacinthe involved the construction of an aquatic complex on land adjacent to the recreational and cultural centre where it replaced the OTJ Sacré-Cœur building, now demolished. Covering an area of 3,716 square metres, the new building houses, among others, aquatic facilities including an eight-lane pool with two springboards, a recreational pool, a therapeutic bath, a walkway as well as a lobby and a reception area. The building will also include multi-purpose rooms, offices, training and warm up areas as well as a food court. Exterior work, including landscaping and the installation of street furniture, completed the project.
Completion of this project necessitated an overall eligible investment of $15,884,875. The governments of Quebec and Canada each contributed $5,294,958 toward the work, for a total of $10,589,916 in joint government financial assistance.
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 contribution from the Government of Canada 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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Sources:
Pierre Floréa
Press Secretary
Office of the Honourable Denis Lebel
Canada Economic Development
Tel.: 514-496-1282
Email: pierre.florea@tc.gc.ca
Gabriela Quiroz
Press Secretary
Office of the Minister of Tourism
Tel.: 450-672-1885
Caroline St-Pierre
Communications Branch
Department of Municipal Affairs, Regions and Land Occupancy
Tel.: 418-691-2015
