January 8, 2013
Goulds Arena to Be Upgraded with Federal, Provincial and Municipal Government Investments
The Goulds and surrounding areas of St. John’s will soon benefit from improvements to their community arena thanks to infrastructure investments from the Governments of Canada and Newfoundland and Labrador, the City of St. John’s, and the Goulds Arena Association.
The announcement was made at an event at the arena today by Senator Fabian Manning, on behalf of the Honourable Bernard Valcourt, Associate Minister of National Defence and Minister of State (Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency) (La Francophonie); the Honourable Keith Hutchings, Minister of Innovation, Business and Rural Development; His Worship Dennis O’Keefe, Mayor, City of St. John’s; John Buckley, Chair, Goulds Arena Association Inc; and representatives of the Goulds Lions Club.
“Our government’s investment through the Community Infrastructure Improvement Fund will modernize the Goulds Lions Arena, an important piece of community infrastructure,” said Senator Manning. “It will provide residents with an enhanced recreational facility that will serve them for many years to come, while helping to create jobs and boosting economic activity in the region.”
The improvements include the addition of a warm room, which will greatly enhance the spectator area and help attract more events to the facility, as well as paving for the parking area outside the facility.
“This venue provides an opportunity for the community to host a variety of events,” said Minister Hutchings. “The Provincial Government’s investment in infrastructure projects is contributing to the economic diversity and quality of life in the province, particularly in rural areas.”
The arena is located in an area of Goulds which also includes soccer pitches, a softball field and playground, creating a central recreational complex for area residents.
“The City of St. John’s is absolutely delighted to invest approximately $145,000 towards the construction of a new warm room at the Goulds Lions Arena,” said Mayor O’Keefe. “The Goulds Lions Arena is the heart of the recreational complex in the Goulds and these upgrades will help this facility meet the needs of the community for years to come. This investment is another example of the city’s ongoing commitment to the continuing revitalization of the Goulds area.”
The Goulds Arena Association is the owner and operator of the property.
“We're very pleased to have the various levels of government and a great community supporter like the Goulds Lions Club to help us bring this project to life,” said Mr. Buckley. “The arena is approaching its 20th year and adding a paved parking lot and new spectator warm room will be a great addition for our patrons and their supporters. Moreover we will be able to do some much needed upgrades and refurbishment to keep the arena in great shape for the foreseeable future. We would like to thank all the volunteers and the employees at the arena and people in various levels of government who have helped us see this project come together in a cost effective manner for all partners.”
The Government of Canada’s investment of $201,089 comes from the Community Infrastructure Improvement Fund, an initiative of the 2012 Economic Action Plan. The Government of Newfoundland and Labrador’s investment of $61,470 is through the Department of Innovation, Business and Rural Development. The City of St. John’s has also invested $144,770 in the project; the Goulds Arena Association Inc. invested $150,000; while the Goulds Lions Club invested $50,000.
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Media contacts:
| Doug Burgess Director, Public Affairs ACOA Newfoundland and Labrador 709-772-2935 |
Diana Quinton Director of Communications Department of Innovation, Business and Rural Development 709-729-4570, 631-8155 dianaquinton@gov.nl.ca |
| Jennifer Mills Communications Officer City of St. John’s 709-570-2037 |
John Buckley Chair Goulds Arena Association Inc. 709-685-1683 |
2013 01 08 11:00 a.m.