Canada-Quebec Recreational Infrastructure Canada Program Agreement
Salaberry-de-Valleyfield, Quebec, March 19, 2012 – The Salaberry-de-Valleyfield Cité des arts et des sports’ renovated and expanded facilities were inaugurated today in the presence of Stéphane Billette, Member of the Quebec National Assembly for Huntington, acting on behalf of Line Beauchamp, Deputy Premier and Minister of Education, Recreation and Sports. The Honourable Denis Lebel, Minister of Transport, Infrastructure and Communities and Minister of the Economic Development Agency of Canada for the Regions of Quebec, who was unable to attend the ceremony, expressed his delight at the completion of the project being inaugurated today.
“Salaberry-de-Valleyfield residents have cause to celebrate, for they now have access to modern facilities tailored to their needs that will enhance the services available to them,”
noted Minister Lebel.
The project involved enlarging the Cité des arts et des sports pavilion. The work included adding new locker rooms and an aerobics studio. The pool was also brought up to standard in view of its hosting the aquatic events at the 46th Quebec Winter Games Finals, which were held in the region from February 25 to March 5, 2011.
“I am very happy for the City of Salaberry-de-Valleyfield as well as the Montérégie region that this project has come into being. I hope people in the region see how much these facilities will enhance their quality of life and take full advantage of them,”
said MNA Billette.
This project, the total cost of which is $5,258,188, was made possible thanks to an investment toward which the Government of Quebec contributed $1,629,094 and the Government of Canada, $1,000,000. The Cité des arts et des sports and the City of Salaberry-de-Valleyfield assumed the remainder of the costs.
The governments of Canada and Quebec signed an agreement to accelerate the execution of recreational infrastructure projects. To that end, the Government of Canada is investing $76 million and the Government of Quebec at least that amount. The funding for this project was awarded through the Recreational Infrastructure Canada program and the Programme de soutien aux installations sportives et récréatives of the Government of Quebec’s Fonds pour le développement du sport et de l’activité physique.
About the Recreational Infrastructure Canada program
The economic action plan adopted by the federal government in January 2009 and under which the Recreational Infrastructure Canada program falls has helped offset the impacts of the global economic downturn. Government investments in recreational infrastructure have contributed to the creation of jobs and improved quality of life for Canadians. For more on this plan, visit 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, see www.mels.gouv.qc.ca.
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Sources:
Hélène Sauvageau
Press Secretary
to the Deputy Premier and Minister of Education, Recreation and Sports
Tel.: 418-644-0664
Jean-Pierre McKenzie
Political Attaché
Office of the MNA for Huntingdon
Tel.: 450-247-3474
Geneviève Sicard
Press Secretary
Office of the Honourable Denis Lebel
Canada Economic Development
Tel.: 514-496-1282
