Government investment of $800,000 for roof repairs on the Saint-Charles recreational complex in Montréal's Sud-Ouest borough

Canada-Quebec Recreational Infrastructure Canada Program Agreement

Montréal, Quebec, August 19, 2010 – Residents of the City of Montréal’s Sud-Ouest borough will soon have access to renovated recreational facilities, today jointly announced the Honourable Denis Lebel, Minister of State for Canada Economic Development, and Marguerite Blais, Quebec Minister responsible for Seniors and Member of the National Assembly for Saint-Henri–Sainte-Anne, acting on behalf of Laurent Lessard, Minister of Municipal Affairs, Regions and Land Occupancy.

The initiative, whose eligible cost is evaluated at $1,200,000, will be carried out thanks to $800,000 in combined government funding contributed in equal part by the governments of Quebec and Canada, with the Sud-Ouest borough investing the remaining $400,000.

The Sud-Ouest borough’s project involves replacing the existing roofs on the recreational complex’s three facilities, namely the arena, pool and gymnasium, with a modified bituminous membrane.

“Many of our recreational facilities are in need of renovation and improvement. But it can be difficult for municipalities to assume the costs of restoring public infrastructure entirely on their own. That is why the federal government introduced the Recreational Infrastructure Canada Program, through which $500 million will be invested over two years in the modernization of our sports and recreational facilities across the country. I am delighted to see this project carried out because I know it will allow the borough’s residents to enjoy access to facilities that are better suited to their needs,” explained Minister Lebel.

“The Saint-Charles recreational complex has been serving as a venue for numerous sports, cultural and aquatic activities for some 30 years. The work planned by the Sud-Ouest borough will help extend the life span of the build while ensuring that active users continue to benefit from activities and services in a safe environment,” added Minister Blais.

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.

Established under the economic action plan adopted by the federal government in January 2009, the Recreational Infrastructure Canada Program is aimed at stimulating immediate economic recovery and reducing the short-term impacts of the global recession through the investment of $500 million over two years in the modernization of sports and recreational facilities across Canada. Government funding 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.

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 more information on this initiative, visit www.mels.gouv.qc.ca.

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

- 30 -

Sources:

Benoit Fortin
Special Assistant, Communications
Office of the Honourable Denis Lebel
Canada Economic Development
Tel.: 819-997-3319

Alexandre Jacques
Political Attaché of the MNA for
Saint-Henri–Sainte-Anne and Minister responsible for Seniors
Tel.: 514-933-8796

Sylvain Bourassa
Press Secretary
Office of the Minister of Municipal Affairs, Regions and Land Occupancy
Tel.: 418-691-2050