Government investment of $193,786 for renovation of Normandin sports centre

Canada-Quebec Recreational Infrastructure Canada Program Agreement

Normandin, Quebec, November 20, 2009 – Renovations will soon be made to the Centre sportif de Normandin to make the building more energy efficient and extend its longevity, today announced the Honourable Denis Lebel, Minister of State for Canada Economic Development, and Serge Simard, Quebec Minister for Natural Resources and Wildlife and Minister responsible for the Saguenay–Lac-Saint-Jean region, acting on behalf of Michelle Courchesne, Minister of Education, Recreation and Sports.

This project, which will require a total investment of $392,521, will be carried out in partnership with the City of Normandin and benefit from $193,786 in combined government funding contributed in equal part by the governments of Quebec and Canada.

The renovation of the Normandin sports centre will involve changing the lighting system on the ice rink and replacing the garage door to reduce energy consumption.  The work will also include repairing the roof, rebuilding an exterior wall and replacing its insulation and installing a ventilation and dehumidification system to extend the lifespan of the building. These renovations come on top of various other upgrades made to the facility over the years to improve the services available to the public. The sports complex serves the municipalities of Normandin, Albanel, Saint-Thomas-Didyme, Saint-Edmond-les-Plaines and Girardville.

"I am pleased that the Government of Quebec is lending its financial support to the City of Normandin for this project. The Centre sportif de Normandin is an important hub for the local and surrounding population, be it for hockey, figure skating or free skating. It is therefore essential that the facility be maintained in good condition in order to encourage the population to engage in physical activity," stated Minister Simard.

"Many of our recreational facilities are outdated and in need of renovation. But in a recessionary period like the one we are currently experiencing, it is difficult for most municipalities to shoulder the costs of such projects. That is why the Government of Canada introduced the Recreational Infrastructure Canada Program, through which $500 million will be invested over two years in the modernization of sports and recreational facilities across the country. I am delighted to see this project come to fruition because I know it will considerably improve the quality of life for Normandin residents," explained Minister of State Lebel.

The governments of Canada and Quebec signed an agreement to accelerate the execution of recreational infrastructure projects in Quebec over the next two years. To that end, the Government of Canada will invest $37.4 million and the Government of Quebec at least that amount in recreational infrastructure projects carried out in cost-sharing partnership with municipal administrations or local organizations. These investments are thus expected to generate greater financial leverage, as is the case with the other infrastructure programs.

The funding announced today has been awarded through the Programme de soutien aux installations sportives et récréatives of the Government of Quebec’s Fonds pour le développement du sport et de l’activité physique and through the Government of Canada’s Recreational Infrastructure Canada Program.

About the Recreational Infrastructure Canada Program

Established under the economic action plan adopted by the federal government last January, the Recreational Infrastructure Canada Program is aimed at stimulating immediate economic recovery and reducing the short-term impacts of the global recession. Government investment in this area will help create new jobs and improve the population’s health and quality of life. For more on this plan, see www.actionplan.gc.ca.

About the Fonds pour le développement du sport et de l’activité physique

The Fonds pour le développement du sport et de l’activité physique was created by the Government of Quebec to ensure all of the province’s regions access to new and improved sports facilities in order to promote healthier lifestyles among their populations.  For further details on this initiative, visit http://www.mels.gouv.qc.ca.

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Sources:

Tamara Davis
Press Secretary
Minister of Education, Recreation and Sports
Tel.: 418 644-0664

Simon Bachand
Press Secretary
Office of the Honourable Denis Lebel
Canada Economic Development
Tel.: 613-996-6236