Premier Celebrates Construction Start of New Conception Bay South Arena

A new arena in the Town of Conception Bay South will provide residents with access to more active and healthier lifestyles. The Honourable Kathy Dunderdale, Premier of Newfoundland and Labrador, was joined by the Honourable Kevin O’Brien, Minister of Municipal Affairs; the Honourable Terry French, Minister of Tourism, Culture and Recreation and MHA for Conception Bay South; and Woodrow French, Mayor of Conception Bay South, for an event today (October 25) to officially begin work on the new arena.

“Creating healthy communities where residents have opportunities for maintaining an active life style is critical to helping people live full and healthy lives,” said Premier Dunderdale. “Physical activity promotes improved health and a better quality of life, which benefits the community as a whole. This new arena is certain to become an integral component of a growing, healthy and active Conception Bay South.”

The total project cost is $21.4 million with the Provincial Government contributing $13.3 million on a 70/30 provincial/municipal ratio. The project is being designed by the BAE-Newplan Group Ltd., the town’s consultant. The initial site work contract was awarded in July to Weir’s Construction. The main building tender is expected to be issued shortly with construction to start in spring 2013. The new arena is expected to open in autumn 2014.

“An investment in recreation in our towns and communities is an investment in our people,” said Minister French. “I am very pleased that this facility is now underway, as it will provide a state-of-the-art venue for the recreational needs of the area.”

The new arena will include a 200 by 85 foot playing surface with a seating capacity for 1,065 people. It will include full dressing rooms along with support facilities for minor hockey and figure skating programs. It will also have a walking track, a viewing area, an ice-resurfacer room, canteen, first aid room, ticket booth and facility support space. The building will be designed to be energy efficient in accordance with the Provincial Energy Plan and Build Better Buildings policy.

“Our new arena is part of a destination for the entire family where there will always be something new to explore and experience,” said Mayor French. “Residents of all ages will enjoy many conveniences of this state of the art facility from walking the indoor track, participating in various recreational activities, taking a nearby trail to our outdoor facilities or visiting businesses while in the area. The town will have the capability to host a variety of events in sport tourism, entertainment, and business development which will in turn boost the economy, increase visitation and give residents another pillar of brightness to be proud of in Conception Bay South.”

Since the launch of the Provincial Government’s recreation and sport strategy, Active, Healthy Newfoundland and Labrador in 2007, more than $140 million has been invested in recreation infrastructure through this strategy as well as through other municipal infrastructure programs. These projects have provided municipalities the opportunity to secure, develop and improve infrastructure for residents and support the long-term sustainability of growth and development of communities.

The Provincial Government has also maintained improved cost-shared funding ratios established in 2008 to benefit municipalities. For communities with populations below 3,000, the Provincial Government will continue to invest 90 per cent of the cost of new infrastructure with the municipality providing 10 per cent; 80 per cent of the cost will continue to be covered for populations between 3,000 and 7,000; and 70 per cent of the cost will continue to be covered for municipalities with populations over 7,000.

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Photo: The Honourable Kathy Dunderdale, Premier of Newfoundland and Labrador, and Mayor Woodrow French from the Town of Conception Bay South cut the ceremonial sod to officially start the build on the new Conception Bay South Arena. The Premier and Mayor were joined by the Honourable Kevin O'Brien, Minister of Municipal Affairs, the Honourable Terry French, Minister of Tourism, Culture and Recreation and the MHA for Conception Bay South, the Honourable Paul Davis, Minister of Transportation and Works and MHA for Topsail and the Honourable Tom Hedderson, Minister of Environment and Conservation and the MHA for Harbour Main along with councillors and user groups from Conception Bay South. - October 25, 2012

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2012 10 25                                  2:55 p.m.