Medicine Hat, Alberta, January 25, 2013 – Families, residents and visitors will soon benefit from additional recreational opportunities at the Medicine Hat Family Leisure Centre, thanks to a partnership involving the governments of Canada and Alberta, and the City of Medicine Hat.
Located in the northwest part of the city, the Family Leisure Centre has been a hub of sports and recreation for the entire community since May 2000. The expansion project proposal will include a field house with two indoor soccer pitches, a walking/running track and gymnasium, expanded fitness and wellness facilities, a new recreational sports ice surface, synthetic turf, as well as new change rooms and washrooms. Additional seating for the existing 50-metre swimming pool, including new change rooms and washroom facilities at the Methanex Bowl are part of this expansion.
"The expansion of the Family Leisure Centre will provide residents with more sporting and leisure opportunities in a state-of-the art facility, making Medicine Hat an even better place to live and raise a family,"
said LaVar Payne, Member of Parliament for Medicine Hat. "Our government is proud to provide significant funding for this project as we focus on creating jobs, growth and long-term prosperity as well as building strong, communities across Canada."
"Facilities like the Leisure Centre serve as cultural hubs, connecting the community by helping to bring neighbours together,"
said Alberta Culture Minister Heather Klimchuk. "The Government of Alberta is proud to partner with the City of Medicine Hat and the Government of Canada in a project that will help to strengthen the community and provide new recreational and cultural opportunities for citizens throughout the region."
"I'd like to thank the Province of Alberta and the federal government through the Building Canada Fund – Major Infrastructure Component for their contributions to the Family Leisure Centre Expansion Project,"
said Norm Boucher, Mayor of Medicine Hat. "We are excited about expanding recreational opportunities at this well used facility so it will be here for everyone to enjoy for years to come."
The Government of Canada will contribute up to one-third of total eligible costs, to a maximum of $10 million towards this project through the Building Canada Fund – Major Infrastructure Component. The Province of Alberta has also committed up to $10 million of eligible costs and the City of Medicine Hat will be responsible for all remaining costs. The total estimated project cost is $36 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.
Since 2006, the Government of Canada has made unprecedented investments in public infrastructure. Through the Gas Tax Fund alone, municipalities across the country have received over $10 billion in transfers for local priorities. Making this fund permanent at $2 billion annually is part of Canada's Economic Action Plan – a plan to help create good jobs, economic growth and long-term prosperity. Between 2007 and 2014, Alberta municipalities will receive more than $1.16 billion from the Gas Tax Fund to improve local infrastructure.
For additional information about federal investments in infrastructure and to stay up-to-date with Infrastructure Canada Web feeds, visit Infrastructure Canada's website.
Geneviève Sicard
Press Secretary Office of the Minister of Transport, Infrastructure and Communities
613-991-0700
John Tuckwell
Director, Communications
Alberta Culture
780-427-2395
780-984-6657 (cell)
Rodger Vizbar
Manager of Parks and Recreation
City of Medicine Hat
403-529-8312
Infrastructure Canada
613-960-9251
or toll-free 1-877-250-7154
