Brantford, Ontario, September 7, 2012 – A new multifunctional recreational and athletics complex is one step closer to becoming a reality thanks to a partnership between the governments of Canada and Ontario, Wilfrid Laurier University and the YMCA of Hamilton/Burlington/Brantford.
The facility will replace the temporary YMCA and the Laurier Brantford athletic facilities, and serve the growing athletic and recreation demands of Brant region residents, as well as students from Laurier Brantford, Nipissing University, Mohawk College and Six Nations Polytechnic. The new complex will include a dual-tank aquatic centre for teaching, fitness, therapy and leisure; a fitness centre consisting of multi-purpose spaces for group fitness; and a gymnasium with retractable seating for up to 1,200 spectators. Students and residents will also benefit from social, cultural and educational programming offered at the facility.
"Our government is proud to invest in this important new facility as we focus on creating jobs, growth and long-term prosperity in communities across Canada,"
said the Honourable Diane Finley, Minister of Human Resources and Skills Development.
"The Laurier Brantford YMCA Athletics and Recreation Complex will enrich the lives of families and residents of the entire Brant region,"
said Phil McColeman, Member of Parliament for Brant.
"The Government of Ontario recognizes the important role that athletics and recreation play in the health of our society, and I am pleased that we are contributing to a project that will make such a positive difference for local families,"
said Dave Levac, Member of Provincial Parliament for Brant. "Infrastructure investments like this strengthen our economy, create jobs and build a stronger community."
"The Laurier YMCA Athletic Complex will be a catalyst in bringing people to the downtown and integrating citizens of our community with post-secondary development. Citizens and students will have access to a world-class facility that will attract further investments and continue to enhance our downtown,"
said Mayor Chris Friel.
"This project is critically important to the expansion of Laurier's Brantford campus,"
said Laurier President Max Blouw. "Federal, provincial and municipal investments in this project highlights the tremendous importance of Laurier's partnerships in the community."
"We thank the federal, provincial and municipal governments for their strong support. This financial commitment will allow us to build a Laurier Brantford YMCA that will best serve the health and recreation needs of our community,"
said Jim Commerford, president & CEO, YMCA of Hamilton/Burlington/Brantford. "This is truly a collaborative project that will help facilitate Brantford's social, economic and cultural growth and serve as a model for community partnerships for years to come."
This project has been identified as a priority for funding under the Major Infrastructure Component of the Building Canada Fund. The Government of Canada is setting aside up to one-third of total eligible costs, to a maximum federal contribution of $16.7 million. Federal funding is conditional on the project meeting all of the requirements under the Building Canada Fund and the signing of a contribution agreement for the project.
The Province of Ontario announced last year that it is investing $16.7 million towards the project, while the City of Brantford is contributing $5.8 million to the project. Wilfrid Laurier University and the YMCA of Hamilton/Burlington/Brantford will be responsible for all remaining costs. The total estimated cost of the recreation and athletic complex is $58.4 million.
Canada's Economic Action Plan 2012 focuses on creating new opportunities for jobs and growth, and securing long-term prosperity for Canadians. Infrastructure investments are 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 750,000 net new jobs created since July 2009. To learn more about the opportunities in Economic Action Plan 2012, visit www.budget.gc.ca.
This project also supports Building Together, the Government of Ontario's long-term infrastructure plan to repair, rebuild and renew the province's roads and highways, bridges, public transit, schools and postsecondary institutions, hospitals and courthouses. Since 2003,Ontario has invested approximately $75 billion in infrastructure. Building modern, efficient infrastructure has created or preserved close to 100,000 jobs each year, on average, making Ontario's economy more productive and improving quality of life, now and in the future.
For additional information about investments in infrastructure and to stay up-to-date with Web feeds, visit www.infrastructure.gc.ca.
For further information about Canada's Economic Action Plan, visit www.actionplan.gc.ca.
For further information about Building Together, the Government of Ontario's long-term infrastructure plan, visit www.ontario.ca/buildingtogether
For more information on how Ontario is revitalizing its infrastructure, visit www.ontario.ca/infrastructure.
Contacts:
Geneviève Sicard
Press Secretary
Office of the Minister of Transport, Infrastructure and Communities
613-991-0700
David Salter
Press Secretary
Office of Ontario Minister of Infrastructure and
Minister of Transportation
416-327-1815
Mayor Chris Friel
City of Brantford
519-759-4222 extension 2313
Kevin Crowley
Director, Communications and Public Affairs
Wilfrid Laurier University
519-884-0710 extension 3070
Lise Diebel
Manager, Media Relations
YMCA of Hamilton/Burlington/Brantford
905-529-7102 extension 5001
Infrastructure Canada
613-960-9251 or
Toll-free 1-877-250-7154
