Hunt House, Deane House and community park part of Phase 1 improvements
Calgary, Alberta, October 30, 2013 – Officials from all levels of government attended a sod turning ceremony at Fort Calgary today to witness the start of a project that will renew and revitalize the birthplace and symbolic heart of Calgary.
"Our Government is proud to invest in cultural infrastructure, such as the expansion of Fort Calgary, as we focus on creating jobs, promoting growth and building strong, prosperous communities across Canada,"
declared the Member of Parliament for Calgary–Centre, Joan Crockatt, 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. "This initiative will help raise the profile and understanding of this historical landmark and enhance Fort Calgary as a tourism destination."
"The restoration of Deane House and Hunt House will help to tell the incredible story of Fort Calgary and those early pioneers whose contributions played a vital role in the building of a province and a nation,"
said Alberta Culture Minister Heather Klimchuk. "The Government of Alberta is proud to join with the Fort Calgary Preservation Society, the City of Calgary and the Government of Canada in helping to preserve the history of our province for the benefit of all Albertans as we continue to build Alberta."
"Investment in Fort Calgary is an investment in the preservation and celebration of our unique history and culture,"
said Calgary Mayor, Naheed Nenshi. "Fort Calgary is, and will continue to be, an important community space for all Calgarians and visitors to our city."
Fort Calgary was designated a National Historic site in 1925 and is the original location of the North West Mounted Police (NWMP) fort built in 1875. The first phase of its expansion involves the restoration of Hunt House, built in 1876, and the rehabilitation of Deane House, built in 1906. As well, important improvements to the surrounding community park are also beginning, such as new pathways, landscaping, lighting, as well as a circular plaza. The plaza will include a bronze statue of a NWMP corporal and connect the Elbow River Bridge (currently under construction) to the park.
"This is a very proud moment in Calgary's history,"
said Sara Jane Gruetzner, President and CEO, Fort Calgary. "The story of the RCMP and the HBC are part of Canada's national identity. The Deane House rehabilitation and the Hunt House restoration give us the opportunity to celebrate and tell both of these stories — stories that the history of our city are grounded in."
The Government of Canada and the Province of Alberta are providing joint funding of $8 million toward this initiative under the 2007 Building Canada Plan's Provincial-Territorial Base Fund. The total cost of this initiative is $21.3 million. The City of Calgary is providing $2.85 million and Fort Calgary will raise the balance of funding required to complete the initiative.
Canada's Economic Action Plan 2013 is delivering $70 billion for public infrastructure, including a $53 billion 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 @INFC_eng.
For further information about Canada's Economic Action Plan, visit Canada's Economic Action Plan.
For additional information, please contact:
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 to the Minister of Alberta Culture
780-719-4639
trish.filevich@gov.ab.ca
Sara Jane Gruetzner
President and CEO
Fort Calgary
sgruetzner@fortcalgary.com
403-290-1875 x225
Infrastructure Canada
613-960-9251 or
Toll-free: 1-877-250-7154
