Bay Bulls Regional Lifestyle Centre Officially Opens

The official opening of the new Bay Bulls Regional Lifestyle Centre, which will provide a variety of important services to area residents, took place today. The Honourable Keith Hutchings, Minister of Innovation, Business and Rural Development and MHA for Ferryland, on behalf of the Honourable Kevin O’Brien, Minister of Municipal Affairs, was pleased to join Senator Fabian Manning and Bay Bulls Mayor Harold Mullowney for the event which was hosted by Jamie Korab, 2006 Olympic Gold Medalist, and was attended by students from two local schools and members of the Bay Bulls / Bauline Athletic Association.

“Sound municipal infrastructure is the foundation that strong communities are built upon,” said Minister O’Brien. “The Government of Newfoundland and Labrador recognizes the importance of infrastructure investment to social and economic growth, as well as job creation, which is why we have made significant investments in municipal infrastructure funding over the past number of years, including recreation and community projects such as the Bay Bulls Regional Lifestyle Centre.”

The lifestyle centre was constructed at a cost of $4.1 million through the Building Canada Fund - Communities Component. The funding was announced in May 2009 and included $2.3 million from the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador, $1.3 million from the Government of Canada and $410,973 from the Town of Bay Bulls.

“Our government has made investments in Newfoundland and Labrador that have created jobs in communities during the tough economic times when these investments were necessary,” said Senator Manning. “The result is that Bay Bulls is moving forward, with a new vision for the future and a growing list of priorities – and one of those vital priorities is to meet the needs of the new families that are a significant part of the growing population of the region.”

The Bay Bulls Regional Lifestyle Centre has been constructed in an area of the community which also includes a soccer pitch, softball field and playground. The new facility is approximately 2,500 square metres and includes a daycare, gymnasium, youth centre, canteen and full-service commercial kitchen.

“This facility is a wonderful addition to the region and will be enjoyed by a countless number of residents,” said Minister Hutchings. “The Bay Bulls Regional Lifestyle Centre is the result of cooperation by all the partners involved and is a demonstration of our support to infrastructure which benefits the health and well-being of the people of Newfoundland and Labrador.”

The Communities Component of the Building Canada Fund saw total funding of approximately $192.2 million in Newfoundland and Labrador with a Provincial Government investment of approximately $90.2 million, Federal Government investment of approximately $63.7 million and municipal contributions of more than $38.2 million.

“Bay Bulls is a vibrant, growing and family-oriented community of 1,200 people, and we are confident that this new centre will provide great benefit to all residents of this region for years to come,” said Mayor Mullowney. “This new centre will meet a vital priority for the town to address the needs of the new families that are a significant part of the growing population of the region.”

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2012 01 13                          1:30 p.m.