The following is being distributed at the request of Newfoundland Labrador Housing:

New Regional Housing Office Named After the Late Joe Mullins

The Honourable Danny Williams, Premier of Newfoundland and Labrador and MHA for Humber West, today officially named Newfoundland Labrador Housing�s (Housing) new Corner Brook regional office building after the late Joe Mullins.

Premier Williams was joined by Marie Rideout, widow of Joe Mullins; son Peter Mullins; Len Simms, Housing�s Chairman and Chief Executive Officer; colleagues, friends and local dignitaries for the official ceremony. A bronze plaque was unveiled which will be placed in the main lobby of the Corner Brook Housing office, once construction is completed later this year.

�It is an honour for me to name this building after a man who was such a great ambassador for his community,� said Premier Williams. �I can�t think of a better way to set the bar higher for the work that will be done under this roof over the coming years. I�m quite certain that Joe would be proud to know his name will be associated with an organization dedicated to providing social housing programs and services to some of our society�s most vulnerable citizens.�

Mr. Mullins, a legendary sports broadcaster, hockey and baseball athlete, and a pillar of his community, died in December 2002, at age 60. He was an active volunteer for countless charity events and community service groups, such as the Janeway telethon and his local municipal council. He was serving his second term as Deputy Mayor of Corner Brook at the time of his death.

�Housing has had a regional office in the Corner Brook area for nearly 30 years,� said the Honourable Trevor Taylor, Minister of Transportation and Works and Minister Responsible for Housing. �However the administration and maintenance operations worked out of separate locations. The new building is strategically located close to many of Housing�s rental properties in Corner Brook and will enable Housing to consolidate its maintenance and program delivery functions under one roof.�

The Joe Mullins Building will be located on 34 Boone�s Road, Corner Brook. Brook Construction (2007) Inc. started construction on the $2 million facility in April 2009, and it is anticipated to open early in 2010. Designed by Gibbons and Snow Architects of St. John�s, the new one-level building will be about 9,000 square feet, completely wheelchair accessible and able to accommodate the entire Corner Brook staff complement of 38 permanent and seasonal workers.

The Corner Brook regional area has the second largest social housing portfolio in the province outside of the Avalon region, with more than 760 dwellings, serving 1,900 families and individuals throughout Corner Brook, the entire Northern Peninsula and as far east as Hampden.

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2009 09 21                          12:45 p.m.