Pond Inlet, Nunavut, March 23, 2012 – Residents of Pond Inlet now have more opportunities to get active thanks to the recent completion of a new community sports arena.
The Honourable Leona Aglukkaq, Minister of Health and Minister of the Canadian Northern Economic Development Agency, joined the Honourable Eva Aariak, Premier of Nunavut and the Honourable James Arreak, Minister of Culture, Language, Elders and Youth on behalf of the Honourable Lorne Kusugak, Nunavut Minister of Community and Government Services, to celebrate the official grand opening of the arena.
"The new Pond Inlet Arena provides a tremendous opportunity for residents to come together and participate in recreational activities with their friends and neighbours,"
said Minister Aglukkaq. "Our Government will continue to invest in facilities that contribute to healthy and vibrant communities in Canada's North."
"Recreational infrastructure is an important staple in building healthy communities across Nunavut,"
said Premier Aariak. "This arena is an excellent place to gather, build community spirit, and encourage physical activity among the people of Pond Inlet."
The Pond Inlet Arena will have an extended ice season. During warmer temperatures, heat exchange technology will allow the ice to stay cool by removing warm air from below the concrete flooring and releasing it outside the building. A ventilation system will also bring cooler air in from the outdoors to maintain the ice.
The initiative, whose total cost was $6.2 million, was identified in Nunavut's 2009-2010 Capital Plan under the Provincial-Territorial Base Fund. Under the Provincial-Territorial Base Funding agreement of the Building Canada plan, Nunavut will receive a total of $182.68 million from the Government of Canada for core infrastructure priorities such as water, wastewater, clean energy, and safe roads.
For further information on Infrastructure Canada's projects in Nunavut, visit www.infrastructure.gc.ca.
To learn more about Canada's Economic Action Plan, visit www.actionplan.gc.ca.
For further information contact:
Geneviève Sicard
Office of the Minister of Transport, Infrastructure and Communities
613-991-0700
Elissa McKinnon
Department of Community and Government Services, Government of Nunavut
867-975-5342
Infrastructure Canada
613-960-9251 or
Toll-Free 1-877-250-7154
