Government investment of $94,590 in Pointe-Fortune’s Choinière park infrastructure

Canada-Quebec Recreational Infrastructure Canada Program Agreement

Pointe-Fortune, Quebec, February 8, 2010 – The Municipality of Pointe-Fortune’s Choinière Park will soon have new equipment, today announced the Honourable Denis Lebel, Minister of State for Canada Economic Development, and Lucie Charlebois, Member of the National Assembly and Assistant Government Whip, acting on behalf of Laurent Lessard, Minister of Municipal Affairs, Regions and Land Occupancy.

The project, the total cost of which is estimated at $141,885 will be carried out thanks to a government investment of $94,590. The governments of Quebec and Canada will each contribute $47,295 toward the work, with the Municipality of Pointe-Fortune assuming the remaining third, or $47,295, of the project’s costs.

The Choinière Park project involves renovating existing areas and adding new recreational equipment. Upgrades include among others installation of a multisport surface of approximately 464,515 square metres (5,000 square feet), reconstruction of the petanque court and construction of a service kiosk and parking lot.

“The improvements to Choinière Park are of critical importance to Pointe-Fortune residents. Indeed, once the work is complete, this park will be a great gathering place where young and old alike can engage in animation and other activities beneficial to their health. Accordingly, the Government of Canada was quick to support this project which is entirely in line with the Recreational Infrastructure Canada Program. This two-year, $500 million program enables municipalities across the country to modernize their sport and recreational facilities, which also stimulates the economy,” explained Minister of State Denis Lebel. 

“In keeping with our motto, Au Québec, on aime la vie!, the Choinière Park project announced today fits well with government priorities which encourage people of all ages to participate in physical activity to stay healthy. Development of this new space will help the Pointe-Fortune population improve their physical and psychological health and well-being, while forging new ties and developing a sense of belonging to their community,” noted Lucie Charlebois.

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 $76 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 Government of Canada’s Recreational Infrastructure Canada Program and 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.

The Recreational Infrastructure Canada Program, part of Canada’s Economic Action Plan adopted by the federal government in January 2009, is intended to stimulate immediate economic recovery and reduce 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.

For further details on the state of advancement of the Quebec Infrastructure Plan, visit www.infrastructures.gouv.qc.ca.

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Sources:

Carole St-Yves
Political Attaché
Office of the MNA for Soulanges
Tel.: 450-456-3816

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