Innovation, Business and Rural Development
January 25, 2013

Federal and Provincial Governments Invest in
Community Infrastructure on Avalon Peninsula

Important community infrastructure around the Avalon Peninsula such as ball fields, marinas, community centres and arenas will soon be improved thanks to support from the Governments of Canada and of Newfoundland and Labrador.

The announcement was made at an event at the Bay Bulls Regional Lifestyle Centre today by the Honourable Ted Menzies, Minister of State (Finance), on behalf of the Honourable Bernard Valcourt, Associate Minister of National Defence and Minister of State (Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency) (La Francophonie), and the Honourable Keith Hutchings, Minister of Innovation, Business and Rural Development.

“Our government is pleased today to announce its support for so many excellent projects in Newfoundland and Labrador,” said Minister Menzies. “Families and communities around the Avalon peninsula will benefit from these projects, which will also create jobs, boost economic growth and long term prosperity, as well as leave a lasting legacy of modernized community facilities for future generations.”

The Government of Canada is investing approximately $539,000 in nine projects in the Towns of Bay Bulls, Long Harbour-Mount Arlington Heights, Conception Harbour, Salmonier, Placentia, Holyrood, Bauline, Witless Bay and Renews-Cappahayden, while the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador is investing over $311,300 in six of the nine projects.

"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," said Minister Hutchings. "These projects are encouraging a number of initiatives in the province, including recreational boating, trail development, and indoor recreational activities."

Speaking as a representative of the municipalities and community groups at the event, Bay Bulls Mayor Harold Mullowney spoke of the impact these investments make on communities and residents.

“This project enhances our recreational complex and adds to the comprehensive programming that we currently offer,” said Mayor Mullowney. “The Lifestyle Centre has become an important hub of healthy activity for residents of Bay Bulls and other communities along the Southern Shore and is a solid investment in the well-being of our citizens.”

The Government of Canada is making CIIF investments in the following community facilities:

• The Town of Bay Bulls is receiving $32,058 to expand an existing recreational complex with the construction of a multipurpose court which can be used as a skateboard park.
• Town of Long Harbour-Mount Arlington Heights is receiving $255,768 to upgrade and enhance an existing ball field and trail in the community, including improvements to the ball field, play ground, concession building, parking lot and area trails.
Placentia Rowing Club Inc. is receiving $115,221 to refurbish the existing Placentia Regatta boathouse, including the redevelopment of the boathouse into a more functional facility which will include washrooms, meeting space and boat storage.
• Town of Holyrood is receiving $29,144 to upgrade and improve Holy Cross Park, including improvements to wheelchair accessibility at the park, upgrades to an existing trail, replacement of the deck and boardwalk near the main areas of the park, installation of a play structure and improved interpretation.
• Regina Mundi Building Committee Inc. is receiving $28,059 to upgrade and renovate the Regina Mundi Community Cultural Centre in the Town of Renews-Cappahayden, including repairs and upgrades to the exterior, improvements to the entrance, and wheelchair accessibility of the building.
• Southern Shore Arena Association is receiving $24,899 to upgrade the existing arena in the community of Witless Bay, including an upgrade of the refrigeration system.
• Town of Conception Harbour is receiving $23,910 to upgrade an existing marina. The expanded facility will provide visiting and local recreational boaters with additional berthage and docking facilities as well as improved parking.
• St. Mary’s Bay North Regional Development Association is receiving $18,849 to upgrade an existing marina at Forest Field, Salmonier, NL, providing visiting and local recreational boaters with on-shore facilities to complement the recently upgrade docking facility.
• Burnt Cove, St. Michael’s, Bauline Regional Recreation Association Inc. is receiving $10,900 to upgrade an existing community centre located in Bauline, involving repairs and upgrades to the centre which will consist of installation of weeping tile, repairs to the floor and the upgrades to the water supply for the facility.

The Government of Newfoundland and Labrador is supporting six of these projects, with its investment of $311,300, including the Town of Conception Harbour; the St. Mary’s Bay North Regional Development Association; the Placentia Rowing Club; the Town of Holyrood; the Burnt Cove, St. Michael’s, Bauline Regional Recreation Association Inc.; and the Southern Shore Arena Association.

The Government of Canada’s investment comes from the Community Infrastructure Improvement Fund, an initiative of the Economic Action Plan 2012. The provincial investments come from the departments of Innovation, Business and Rural Development; Tourism, Culture and Recreation; and Municipal Affairs.

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2013 01 25                     2:30 p.m.