A joint Canada-Quebec investment of more than $26 million
Sherbrooke, Quebec, May 6, 2013 – The Honourable Senator Pierre-Hugues Boisvenu; Dr. Réjean Hébert, Minister of Health and Social Services, Minister responsible for Seniors, Minister responsible for the Estrie Region and Member of the National Assembly for Saint-François, on behalf of Sylvain Gaudreault, Minister of Municipal Affairs, Regions and Land Occupancy, Minister of Transportation and Member of the National Assembly for Jonquière; Bernard Sévigny, Mayor of Sherbrooke; as well as Michael Goldbloom, Principal of Bishop's University, participated in the official launch of construction work on the new Multi-Sport and Health Centre at Bishop's University, joined by dignitaries, students, professors, university personnel, Sherbrooke residents and visitors.
"These improvements will offer countless opportunities for the student community and residents to get active and will also enrich the health and well-being of the region's youth, families and residents," said Senator Boisvenu. "Our government is proud to invest in significant infrastructure projects like this one, as we focus on creating jobs, promoting growth and building strong, prosperous communities across Canada."
"Bishop's University's future multi-sport and health centre will better meet the expectations of the university community and the needs of local residents. Access to modern, high-quality sports facilities will promote the development of top-level sports at Bishop's University and help train high calibre athletes, not to mention make Sherbrooke more competitive by attracting both national and international sports events,"
added Dr. Hébert.
Originally built in 1975, the John H. Price Sports Centre will be renovated to become a multi sport and health centre. This project will transform the existing sports venues in order to build combat and aerobic dance rooms, a spinning room, a reception hall with a kitchen and change rooms, and an expanded weight room.
The project also includes the expansion of the current gym to make a double gym with a mezzanine, the construction of a new 800-seat arena and a building linking the arena to the sports centre, which includes a restaurant area, washrooms, cloakrooms, classrooms, storage space and administrative offices. Outdoor landscaping and a renovation of the health and wellness centre offices are also included in the project.
Under the Major Infrastructure Component of the Building Canada Fund, the total eligible cost of this project is $29.5 million. The governments of Canada and Quebec will each contribute up to $13.25 million, while the City of Sherbrooke will provide $3 million.
Canada's Economic Action Plan 2013 is delivering a New Building Canada Plan to build roads, bridges, subways, commuter rail, and other public infrastructure in cooperation with provinces, territories, and municipalities. Thanks to the Government of Canada's leadership and strong economic and financial fundamentals, the Canadian economy has recovered from the global recession better than most other industrialized countries. Canada has been a leader among G-7 countries throughout the recovery with more than 898,000 net new jobs created since July 2009. The New Building Canada Plan, combined with other federal infrastructure investments, supports Canada's infrastructure advantage, a key enabler of economic growth and job creation.
The Quebec government's contribution to this project is being made under the 2013-2023 Quebec Infrastructure Plan unveiled in April. This 10-year plan provides for a total investment of $8.1 billion under the municipal infrastructure component. It will have a major economic impact on Quebec, creating or maintaining on average nearly 60,000 jobs a year. This plan signals a shift in investment in and management of public infrastructure. This new method will enable the province to assess needs prospectively in keeping with Quebecers' priorities, measure associated costs and make informed choices.
For additional information about federal investments in infrastructure and to stay up-to-date with Web feeds, visit Infrastructure Canada.
For more information on the Quebec infrastructure plan, visit the Government of Quebec website. (Available only in French)
For further information about Canada's Economic Action Plan, visit Canada's Economic Action Plan.
Marie-Josée Paquette
Press Secretary
Office of the Minister of Transport, Infrastructure and Communities, Minister of the Economic Development Agency of Canada for the Regions of Quebec, and Minister of Intergovernmental Affairs
613-991-0700
Marie-Eve Imonti
Press Secretary
Office of the Minister of Municipal Affairs, Regions and Land Occupancy
514-873-2622
Étienne-Alexis Boucher
Press Secretary
Constituency Office of the Minister of Health and Social Service and Minister responsible for Seniors
819-565-3667
Caroline St-Pierre
Communications Directorate
Department of Municipal Affairs, Regions and Land Occupancy
418-691-2019
Infrastructure Canada
613-960-9251 or toll-free 1-877-250-7154
