Winnipeg, Manitoba, August 15, 2013 – Significant progress is being made at the future site of the University of Manitoba's state-of-the art active living facility. Officials touring the site today were pleased to learn that over 2,000 students and residents a day are expected to begin using the facility's many amenities in January 2015.
"Our government is proud to invest in infrastructure projects like the University of Manitoba's Active Living Centre, as we focus on creating jobs, promoting growth, and building strong, prosperous communities here in Winnipeg, in Manitoba and across Canada,"
said the Member of Parliament for Winnipeg South, Rod Bruinooge. "This initiative, which will be the largest active living facility in Manitoba, will promote the culture of active living to local residents, students and staff on campus and give them access to a world-class sport and fitness centre."
"Our government is proud to invest in this important project which will benefit all students,"
said MLA for St. Norbert, Dave Gaudreau, on behalf of Local Government Minister Ron Lemieux. "We all know the University of Manitoba is one of the best places in Canada for growing the mind, and soon it will also have more opportunities for training and maintaining our bodies."
The 115,000-square-foot facility will include a high-performance training facility for elite athletes, a state-of-the-art indoor running track, a 12-metre climbing wall, a research centre, a gathering area for students, strength and conditioning facilities, and three group workout studios. The project also involves a tunnel that will connect the entire facility to the University campus.
"The construction of the Active Living Centre is a prime example of transformative change underway at the University of Manitoba,"
says Dr. David Barnard, President and Vice-Chancellor at the University of Manitoba. "The Centre is positioned as a gateway to the Fort Garry Campus and will contribute to our commitment to sustainable, active and healthy living within the community."
This $59-million initiative received joint federal and provincial funding of $20 million under the Provincial-Territorial Base Fund. The City of Winnipeg is also providing $2.5 million towards the project, which was generated through the sale of the Polo Park Stadium site. The balance of the funding will be provided by the University of Manitoba.
For additional information about federal investments in infrastructure and to stay up-to-date with Web feeds, visit Infrastructure Canada.
To find out what the Government of Canada is doing to promote jobs, growth and prosperity, visit Canada's Economic Action Plan.
Contacts:
Marie-Josée Paquette
Press Secretary
Office of the Minister of Infrastructure, Communities and Intergovernmental Affairs and
Minister of the Economic Development Agency of Canada for the Regions of Quebec
613-943-1838
Infrastructure Canada
613-960-9251 or t
Toll-free: 1-877-250-7154
Naline Rampersad
Cabinet Communications
Province of Manitoba
204-945-1494
Sean Moore, Marketing
Communications Office
University of Manitoba
204-474-7963
