Community Infrastructure in Labrador to Benefit from Federal and Provincial Government Investments

Six key pieces of recreational infrastructure in Labrador will be improved thanks to investments by the Governments of Canada, Newfoundland and Labrador, and Nunatsiavut.

The announcement was made today at an event in Happy Valley-Goose Bay by the Honourable Gail Shea, Minister of National Revenue and Minister for the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency (ACOA); the Honourable Nick McGrath, Minister of Labrador Affairs on behalf of the Honourable Kevin O’Brien, Minister of Municipal Affairs; and Nunatsiavut’s Minister of Education and Economic Development, Gary Mitchell.

“Improving recreational infrastructure not only helps our government create jobs, growth and long-term prosperity, but it helps build healthy, active communities,” said Minister Shea. “Established trail networks along with arts and sporting facilities are part of the fabric of towns in Labrador, encouraging physical activity, artistic expression and community pride and engagement.”

The Government of Canada is investing over $220,000 through the Community Infrastructure Improvement Fund (CIIF) in six projects in the towns of Happy Valley-Goose Bay, Forteau, Mary’s Harbour, Makkovik and Nain. The Government of Newfoundland and Labrador is investing approximately $520,000 in five of the six projects. The Nunatsiavut Government is investing more than $25,000 in the Inuit community of Makkovik.

“The Provincial Government is committed to investing in infrastructure projects which will encourage economic diversity, and which have a positive impact on the quality of life of our residents,” said Minister O’Brien. “We will continue to work with our community and federal government partners to advance these types of initiatives and enable citizens to lead more enriched and healthy lives.”

“Investments in infrastructure help create strong and healthy communities,” said Minister Mitchell. “We are pleased to be part of today’s announcement and we look forward to working cooperatively with both the federal and provincial governments as we advance the economic and social well-being of our people and our communities.”

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Backgrounder
Recreational Investments in Labrador

Investments are being made in the following projects:

• The Town of Happy Valley-Goose Bay is receiving $101,000 through CIIF and $468,319 from the Provincial Government to upgrade and renovate the town’s arena. The renovations will include replacement of exterior siding, improvements to the roof, new insulation, repairs to interior walls, as well as upgrades to the electrical and fire alarm system.
• Also in Happy Valley-Goose Bay, the Eastern Labrador Arts Alliance is receiving $24,042 through CIIF and $32,598 from the Provincial Government to upgrade and expand the Lawrence O’Brien Arts Centre. The expansion of the centre will include added storage space and new equipment to improve the functionality of the facility.
• The Town of Forteau is receiving $6,405 through CIIF and $5,310 from the Provincial Government to upgrade and improve the Mount Nascopi Trail. The project involves the installation of culverts, improvements to two bridges as well as to several sections of the trail for walking and hiking to ensure the current ski trail can be used year-round.
• The Town of Mary’s Harbour is receiving $10,604 through CIIF and $15,000 from the Provincial Government to replace the floor at the Raymond C. Rumbolt Memorial Recreation Centre.
• The Nain Inuit Community Government is receiving $50,498 through CIIF and $15,000 from the Provincial Government to upgrade the town’s arena, including the replacement of boards, players’ boxes and penalty boxes.
• The Makkovik Inuit Community Government is receiving $27,496 through CIIF to improve the Makkovik walking trail network throughout the community and extend the trail to the Hebron area of the town by constructing a boardwalk. The Nunatsiavut Government also invested $25,530 in the project through its Community Economic Development Program (CEDP).

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

2013 04 05                          11:10 a.m.