Lethbridge, Alberta, September 20, 2013– The City of Lethbridge, together with the Government of Canada and the Government of Alberta, broke ground today to start construction for the Crossings Ice Complex in West Lethbridge.
The complex, located at the corner of Britannia Boulevard and Mauretania Road West, will be approximately 125,000 square feet and will include two ice surfaces, 10 sheets of curling ice, viewing areas, spectator seating, dressing rooms, and food and beverage services. The new facility will provide Lethbridge curlers with a new ice plant and dehumidification system in the building, which will help with the condition of the ice, as well as updated locker rooms, more space for a pro shop, multi-purpose rooms, updated kitchen facilities and a lounge. Once completed, it will allow Lethbridge to attract regional, provincial, and national tournaments, and special events, which will contribute to the City's economic prosperity. The facility will also provide increased opportunities for existing organizations as well as groups from the surrounding region to practice and play.
"Our Government is proud to invest in this new Crossings Ice Complex which will greatly expand the recreational opportunities available to Lethbridge residents, while creating local jobs and contributing to the local economy,"
said Jim Hillyer, Member of Parliament for Lethbridge, on behalf of the Honourable Denis Lebel, Minister of Infrastructure, Communities and Intergovernmental Affairs and Minister of the Economic Development Agency of Canada for the Regions of Quebec. "With new curling and hockey facilities, both young and old will have the opportunity to stay fit and connected with their community."
"The Crossing Ice Complex will help local organizations to expand their programs and services while creating new opportunities for the people of the Lethbridge region to experience world-class cultural and sporting events,"
said Alberta Culture Minister Heather Klimchuk. "This project is a wonderful example of the great things that happen when we work together; strengthening our communities and building Alberta."
"We are pleased to be able to build this new state-of-the-art facility available for all of our citizens,"
says Mayor Rajko Dodic. "The Crossings Ice Complex is an exciting addition and will provide additional much needed ice surfaces for our growing community."
The Government of Canada is contributing up to $10 million towards this project through the Building Canada Fund — Major Infrastructure Component. The Province of Alberta is providing a total of $25.8 million which includes $15.8 million in Municipal Sustainability Initiative grant funding and an additional $10 million as the matching provincial portion under the Building Canada Fund program. The City of Lethbridge is contributing close to $5.5 million. The total estimated project cost is $41.3 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 our 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 one million 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.
For additional information about federal investments in infrastructure visit Infrastructure Canada or follow us on Twitter at @INFC_eng.
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 Infrastructure, Communities and Intergovernmental Affairs, and
Minister of the Economic Development Agency of Canada for the Regions of Quebec
613-943-1838
Trish Filevich
Press Secretary
Minister of Culture
780-719-4639
Trish.Filevich@gov.ab.ca
Mr. Ashley Matthews
Manager of Recreation & Culture
City of Lethbridge
403-320-3991
Infrastructure Canada
613-960-9251
Toll free: 1-877-250-7154
