Bouctouche, New Brunswick, April 15, 2012 — Representatives from the federal, provincial and municipal governments gathered today in Bouctouche to mark the grand opening of the J.K. Irving Multifunctional Centre.
The new Centre will give residents the opportunity to get fit using the new ice surface, walking track, and gym and health facilities. The ice surface is surrounded by 1,100 standard seats, which can be expanded to 2,300 when the ice surface is covered. The Centre also houses community meeting space, the Town’s municipal offices and other local agencies. The facility will accommodate diverse events and shows, such as commercial and industrial exhibitions, arts and crafts shows and banquets.
“Our government’s top priority is jobs, growth and long-term prosperity,” said Robert Goguen, Member of Parliament for Moncton—Riverview—Dieppe, on behalf of the Honourable Denis Lebel, Minister of Transport, Infrastructure and Communities. “Investing in infrastructure is one of the best ways to create jobs and strengthen communities, and we are proud to have contributed to this new centre that will support the health and well-being of local families and Bouctouche residents for many years to come.”
“This new multifunctional centre is a fine example of what can happen when all levels of government work together with the community to help improve the lives of all residents in Bouctouche and Kent County,” said the Honourable Claude Williams, Minister of Transportation and Infrastructure on behalf of Economic Development Minister Paul Robichaud. “The Province of New Brunswick is proud to have played a major role in investing in this recreational infrastructure facility.”
“It is important to single out our partners in this venture, namely the Government of Canada, the Government of New Brunswick, the fine people of the greater Bouctouche area and the Irving family who supported this project all through this adventure. As Mayor and on behalf of Town Council, I sincerely thank them. This fine structure of a building which bears the name of J. K. Irving will stand for decades as a monument attesting to the character of these fine folks,” said Aldéo Saulnier, Mayor of Bouctouche.
The Government of Canada contributed $5 million for the construction of the J.K. Irving Multifunctional Centre through the Infrastructure Stimulus Fund, with a matching contribution from the Province of New Brunswick. In addition, the Province of New Brunswick, through the Regional Development Corporation, contributed $950,000 and the Town of Bouctouche provided $9.15 million. The total cost of the project is $20.1 million.
Canada’s Economic Action Plan 2012 focuses on creating new opportunities for jobs and growth, and securing long-term prosperity for Canadians. Investing in public infrastructure is an important part of this strategy. Thanks to the Government of Canada’s leadership, and our strong economic and financial fundamentals, the Canadian economy has recovered from the global recession better than most other countries. Canada has been a leader among G-7 countries throughout the recovery with more than 690,000 net new jobs created since July 2009. To learn more about the opportunities in Economic Action Plan 2012, visit www.budget.gc.ca/2012/home-accueil-eng.html.
Under the Infrastructure Stimulus Fund, close to $90.2 million was committed to 59 projects in communities across the New Brunswick. In every corner of the province, jobs were created when the economy needed them most.
For further information on Infrastructure Canada's projects in New Brunswick, visit www.infrastructure.gc.ca.
To learn more about Canada’s Economic Action Plan, visit www.actionplan.gc.ca.
For more information, contact:
Geneviève Sicard
Office of the Minister of Transport, Infrastructure and Communities
613-991-0700
Infrastructure Canada
613-960-9251
Toll free: 1-877-250-7154
Bruce Macfarlane
Regional Development Corporation
506-444-4606
André J. Cormier
Town Manager, Bouctouche
506-743-4444
