Jack Byrne Arena Expands Trade Show and Event Capacity

The Jack Byrne Arena in the Town of Torbay is boosting its ability to better accommodate trade shows and events through an $86,998 investment from the Provincial Government.

“The Jack Byrne Arena has emerged as an essential piece of social and economic infrastructure in the Northeast Avalon,” said the Honourable Keith Hutchings, Minister of Innovation, Business and Rural Development. “It attracts a wide variety of individuals, groups and organizations to its recreational and family-focused activities providing benefits for local businesses and the communities in the region. With this added ability to host trade shows and larger events I am confident the arena will generate new opportunities for the facility itself and for businesses operating in the service sector.”

The Jack Byrne Arena has used the Provincial Government’s contribution to secure a new 17,000 square foot grade ice covering, staging, pipe and drapery, as well as tables and chairs. With these additions, the facility will be better positioned to host larger and more varied events, especially in the off-ice season.

“The Jack Byrne Arena is a shining example of success in the Northeast Avalon region,” said Kevin Parsons, MHA for Cape St. Francis. “The ongoing effort by the Board of Directors and staff to seize new opportunities and maximize profit for the benefit of the community is commendable and I am pleased to continually lend my support. This new financial commitment from the Provincial Government will allow the facility to successfully expand its lines of business and provide opportunities for new user groups now and into the future.”

Officially opened in 2009, the Jack Byrne Arena was constructed through a $13.1 million cost-shared commitment from the Provincial Government and four towns - Torbay, Logy Bay-Middle Cove-Outer Cove, Pouch Cove and Flatrock. The facility has hosted many user groups and successful events including the Northeast Minor Hockey Association, recreational leagues, a National Ball Hockey Championship, a motocross exhibition, cheerleading competitions, dog shows, and figure skating showcases.

“We are very thankful for this new financial commitment by the Provincial Government,” said Geoff Gallant, Vice Chair of Jack Byrne Arena Board of Directors. “Since day one, the support of government has been quite evident throughout this facility. This is certainly warranted considering the Northeast Avalon is one of the fasted growing regions in our province, with new families primarily adding to the population. The Jack Byrne Arena is proud to provide residents with opportunities for healthy living, and by expanding to new lines of business in the off-season it will now be better suited to make a profit which will provide long-term sustainability and viability. We sincerely thank the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador for this leg up.”

This initiative was funded through the Regional/Sectoral Diversification Fund. This program, through Budget 2012: People and Prosperity, has $5 million available for investment. Administered by the Department of Innovation, Business and Rural Development, the program provides non-repayable contributions to economic development agencies for initiatives that address regional and sectoral development and diversification.

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2012 07 06             10:20 a.m.