Municipal Affairs
February 20, 2009

Funding Announced for Wabush Recreation Centre

The Wabush recreation centre and its patrons will benefit from a $20,000 investment announced today by the Honourable Dianne Whalen, Minister of Municipal Affairs.

The Wabush town council recently announced a number of cutbacks necessary to balance the town�s budget. One of these cutbacks was the reduction in the recreation centre�s hours of operation. This funding means that those cutbacks will be less severe.

"I am pleased that through this funding, the town can reinstate activities to the town�s facility," said Minister Whalen. "The rec centre is very important to the residents of Wabush and I am pleased to know that it can continue to operate."

Wabush Mayor Jim Farrell also expressed his pleasure at the announcement.

"Wabush is experiencing some challenging times right now and this investment is certainly a boost to our residents," said Mayor Farrell. "Everyone uses the rec centre for all kinds of activities and to have the hours of operation cutback would have been devastating for the community. This is also a great relief to the employees who were facing reduced incomes because of the cutback. I�d like to thank the Provincial Government for this very important funding."

"This is great news for Wabush," added Labrador West MHA Jim Baker. "I�d like to thank Minister Whalen for delivering this very good news to the area."

While it is not the policy of the Department of Municipal Affairs to provide operational funding for municipal infrastructure, including recreation facilities, this situation is an exception because the towns of Wabush and Labrador City are engaged in discussions with the department on the possibility of amalgamating. The long-term operational costs of the arena will be an issue for consideration in the amalgamation discussions.

"Regionalization benefits everyone," commented Minister Whalen. "The Provincial Government is very supportive of regional cooperation initiatives that lead to viable, sustainable communities. I would like to commend the municipal leaders of these two towns for taking the initiative to approach the department about amalgamation. It demonstrates their strong leadership, vision and commitment to their towns and the residents they serve. The interim funding announced today is a gesture of goodwill from the Provincial Government as we progress down the path of amalgamation."

"Both Mayor Letto and I realize that the situation facing both our communities could be improved through amalgamation," added Mayor Farrell. "We look forward to continuing to work with the department and hope to find a solution that will benefit all area residents."

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Media Contact:

Jennifer Collingwood
Director of Communications
Department of Municipal Affairs
709-729-1983, 690-2498
JenniferCollingwood@gov.nl.ca

2009 02 20                                                     9:50 a.m.
 


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