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Municipal Affairs
Tourism, Culture and Recreation
August 31, 2011

Over $50 Million Investment Will Build Four Recreational Facilities

A significant investment of $50.6 million has been made by the Provincial Government for new recreational facilities in Conception Bay South, Paradise, Harbour Grace and Marystown.

The Honourable Terry French, Minister of Tourism, Culture and Recreation, made the announcement today on behalf of the Honourable Kevin O’Brien, Minister of Municipal Affairs. Minister French was joined by other government officials and municipal leaders.

“Today is an historic day as we build upon our strong relationship with our communities and provide recreational facilities which encourage active and healthy lifestyles for Newfoundlanders and Labradorians,” said Minister O’Brien. “In partnership with our municipalities, our government has made strategic investments to support the economic and social growth of our province and by investing in these four facilities we are providing enhanced infrastructure which will continue our communities on the path to prosperity.”

The arenas for Conception Bay South, Paradise and Harbour Grace will be 5,700 square metres and include a 200 by 85 foot ice surface. The arenas will also have change rooms with washrooms and showers, support facilities for minor hockey and figure skating, a walking track and a community meeting room. An ice-resurfacer room, canteen, first-aid room, public washrooms, ticket booth and facility support space will also be included.

“Today is a great day for the residents of these communities and for everyone who wishes to live a healthy and active lifestyle,” said Minister French. “Conception Bay South is an ever expanding region of our province with a need for increased recreation activities. A new arena will certainly benefit the minor hockey and figure skating programs, and will also have a significant impact on the numerous community events which occur in our town.”

Budget 2011 Standing Strong: For Prosperity. For Our Future. For Newfoundland and Labrador includes $140.8 million for new and ongoing municipal infrastructure projects.

“The residents of this region of Conception Bay will certainly welcome these new recreation facilities,” said the Honourable Tom Hedderson, Minister of Transportation and Works and MHA for Harbour Main. “Our government continues to demonstrate its commitment to healthy living and I look forward to the benefits these arenas will bring to our province.”

The arenas for Conception Bay South and Paradise will be cost-shared at a 70/30 provincial/municipal ratio.

“As Paradise and the surrounding region continue to grow we must ensure its residents have the amenities they desire,” said Paul Davis, MHA for Topsail. “With the addition of these new arenas residents of Paradise, Conception Bay South and area will have first-class facilities in their communities.”

The Harbour Grace arena will be cost-shared at an 80/20 provincial/municipal ratio.

“Harbour Grace has a long history associated with sport and recreation, particularly hockey, and this arena will further enhance this connection,” said the Honourable Jerome Kennedy, Minister of Health and Community Services and MHA for Carbonear – Harbour Grace. “This is an important project for our area, one which will benefit our youth and all those who wish to maintain an active and healthy lifestyle.”

Development of the Marystown recreation complex will begin this year and will include the design and construction of an indoor swimming pool and multi-purpose centre.

“Residents of Marystown and the surrounding area have requested a recreation facility for some time and I am ecstatic with today’s announcement,” said the Honourable Clyde Jackman, Minister of Fisheries and Aquaculture and MHA for Burin - Placentia West. “As a region which is growing and has ambitious plans for the future, we need facilities such as these for our current residents and those we wish to attract to live here. Today is an important part of our planning process and our future endeavours.”

All four facilities will follow the principles of the Provincial Government’s Energy Plan. The facilities will be designed to achieve LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) silver rating for energy usage and conservation.

“These recreation facilities will have a major impact upon the lives of residents who partake in what they have to offer,” said David Brazil, MHA for Conception Bay East – Bell Island. “I look forward to this new arena in Paradise and I encourage every resident of the area to use the facility and experience the many advantages it will bring.”

Consultants will now be engaged to complete design work and prepare tender packages for construction.

“The impact of this new arena will be immeasurable for residents of the area, especially young people,” said Steve Kent, MHA for Mount Pearl North. “Our government continues its efforts to enhance opportunities for residents and this new arena is another example of our commitment to infrastructure and healthy communities.”

Woodrow French, the Mayor of Conception Bay South, was also pleased with today’s announcement.

“A new arena is another feather in the cap of our wonderful community,” said Mayor French. “I would like to thank the Provincial Government for working with us to make this facility a reality and I look forward to the opening of this new arena and the benefits it will bring to Conception Bay South.”

The four facilities announced today are anticipated to be completed by the end of 2014.

“This new arena is a welcomed addition to our community and is the culmination of much hard work and is the next step of our recreation development,” said Ralph Wiseman, Mayor of Paradise. “I look forward to our new arena opening and every resident of Paradise availing of the many opportunities it will provide them.”

The municipalities will oversee construction of the new facilities and will be responsible for their operation once open.

“While the S.W. Moores Arena has served our region extremely well, residents of Harbour Grace certainly welcome this new facility,” said Don Coombs, Mayor of Harbour Grace. “I congratulate our town, and the surrounding communities, on this wonderful announcement and thank the Provincial Government for partnering with us on the project.”

Along with these facilities, the Provincial Government has allocated significant resources to encourage residents to participate in active and healthy lifestyles and recognizes the importance of recreational infrastructure. In addition to funding for municipal infrastructure projects, Budget 2011 included $11.5 million to support recreation and sport throughout the province.

“The announcement of a new recreation complex is fantastic news for Marystown,” said Keith Keating, Deputy Mayor of Marystown. “I look forward to work commencing on this project and the addition of such a wonderful facility to our town.”

Since the launch of the Provincial Government’s recreation and sport strategy, Active, Healthy Newfoundland and Labrador (2007), more than $70 million has been committed to recreational and sport infrastructure, programming, and athlete development throughout the province.

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Media contacts:

Ken Morrissey
Director of Communications
Department of Municipal Affairs
709-729-1983, 685-6612
kenmorrissey@gov.nl.ca
Diana Quinton
Director of Communications
Department of Tourism, Culture and Recreation
709-729-0928, 631-8155
dianaquinton@gov.nl.ca

Tracy Shute
Executive Assistant to
Honourable Jerome Kennedy
MHA for Carbonear - Harbour Grace
709-729-5980
tracyshute@gov.nl.ca

Andrew Tobin
Executive Assistant to the
Honourable Clyde Jackman
MHA for Burin - Placentia West
709-729-1405
andrewwtobin@gov.nl.ca

Donna Ivey
Communications Manager
Government Members Office
709-729-0898, 697-1424
donnaivey@gov.nl.ca

Ralph Wiseman
Mayor
Paradise
709-781-1842

Woodrow French
Mayor
Conception Bay South
709-834-6500

Keith Keating
Deputy Mayor
Marystown
709-279-1661

Don Coombs
Mayor
Harbour Grace
709-596-3042

2011 08 31                                       3:15 p.m.

 
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