Gatineau, Quebec, May 18, 2012 – Marc Carrière, Member of the National Assembly for Chapleau and Parliamentary Assistant to the Chair of Treasury Board, on behalf of Laurent Lessard, Quebec Minister of Municipal Affairs, Regions and Land Occupancy, and Michelle Courchesne, Deputy Premier, Quebec Minister of Education, Recreation and Sport, Minister responsible for Government Administration and Chair of the Conseil du Trésor, took part today in a sod-turning ceremony for the future Branchaud-Brière Complex. The Honourable Denis Lebel, Minister of Transport, Infrastructure and Communities and Minister of the Economic Development Agency of Canada for the Regions of Quebec, is delighted that the Government of Canada is supporting this major project for families and amateur athletes in the Outaouais region.
“This new sports complex will provide Outaouais residents with numerous opportunities to be active,” said Minister Lebel. “Our government is proud to invest in this facility, which will create local jobs and contribute to the well-being of youth, families and residents for many years to come.”
“This is great news for the Outaouais. These new facilities will be profitable and beneficial for the citizens in our region, especially when it comes to hosting large-scale sports and cultural events. There is no doubt that the future complex will help us achieve our full economic and social development and will enhance our ability to attract and retain young families. Moreover, this infrastructure project will promote academic success for our youth and healthier lifestyles for all residents. I firmly believe in the positive benefits of physical activity; we have an obligation to give our youth the proper tools they need so that they stay in school instead of dropping out,” concluded MNA Marc Carrière.
The future Branchaud-Brière Complex includes two components: a multi-purpose sports facility with two North American-size skating rinks with seating for approximately 1,400 spectators, and an indoor soccer/football field adjacent to the Polyvalente Nicolas-Gatineau, which will be an integral part of the new complex. The new sports facility will also include service areas: a snack bar, a sports equipment store, changing rooms, a fitness centre, a physiotherapy centre, a family restaurant, a conference room and administrative offices.
The MNA for Chapleau took the opportunity to remind those present about joint Canada-Quebec funding of up to $12 million granted to Vision Multisports Outaouais for the component involving the two ice rinks, and about the additional investment of $4 million from the Government of Quebec for the indoor soccer/football field.
It should also be noted that this new sports complex has the support of other partners, including Vision Multisports Outaouais, the City of Gatineau and the Commission scolaire des Draveurs.
The Government of Canada’s contribution comes from the Major Infrastructure Component of the Building Canada Fund, a key program which targets infrastructure projects of national and regional significance. This program provides support for major infrastructure projects that contribute to a stronger economy, a cleaner environment and prosperous communities.
The Quebec government’s contribution was made under the Quebec infrastructure plan, which has a budget of almost $44.56 billion for the period of 2010–15 for projects throughout Quebec aimed at upgrading, renewing and maintaining Quebec’s public infrastructure.
Funding for the indoor soccer/football field comes from the Government of Quebec’s Sports and Physical Activity Development Fund, which is part of the sports and recreational facility support program introduced by the Quebec Department of Education, Recreation and Sport. The aim of the Quebec government in creating this fund was to ensure that all regions benefit from new sports facilities.
Additional information
For more information on the Government of Canada’s infrastructure investments in Quebec, visit www.infrastructure.gc.ca.
For more information on the Quebec infrastructure plan, please visit www.infrastructures.gouv.qc.ca/plan-infrastructure/index.asp (in French only). To find out more about the Quebec Sports and Physical Activity Development Fund, go to www.mels.gouv.qc.ca.
To learn more about Canada’s Economic Action Plan, visit www.actionplan.gc.ca.
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Contacts
Geneviève Sicard
Press Secretary
Office of the Minister of Transport, Infrastructure and Communities
613-991-0700
Julie Boivin
Press Secretary
Office of the Minister of Municipal Affairs, Regions and Land Occupancy
418-691-2050
Hélène Sauvageau
Press Secretary of the Deputy Premier and Quebec Minister of Education, Recreation and Sport
418 644-0664
Geneviève Latulippe
Press Secretary and Office Manager
Office of the MNA for Chapleau
819-246-4558
Caroline St-Pierre
Communications Directorate Department of Municipal Affairs, Regions and Land Occupancy
418-691-2015
Infrastructure Canada
613-960-9251
Toll-free: 1-877-250-7154
