New sports facility to expand recreational and event-hosting opportunities in Greater Saint John
SAINT JOHN, NB, July 5, 2017 /CNW/ – The governments of Canada and New Brunswick are investing in sports and recreation infrastructure to provide more ways for communities to come together and stay active while supporting economic development and middle-class job creation.
Wayne Long, Member of Parliament for Saint John–Rothesay, on behalf of the Honourable Amarjeet Sohi, Minister of Infrastructure and Communities, along with the Honourable Donald Arseneault, Minister of Post-Secondary Education, Training and Labour and minister responsible for the Regional Development Corporation, today announced $12 million in joint federal-provincial funding for the construction of the Greater Saint John Field House.
The new Fieldhouse will be the only facility of its kind in Southern New Brunswick, featuring two indoor turfs, a 200-metre indoor track, fitness rooms, multi-purpose areas, community spaces and outdoor trails.
Once complete, it will provide residents of all ages with year-round access to diverse sporting activities and drive economic activity by allowing the region to welcome larger-scale sporting events.
Quotes
“I’m very pleased to see our federal dollars going to this important regional project. The Greater Saint John Field House will promote general health and fitness while supporting local athletes. The new event-hosting capacity will help create economic growth in the area and contribute to long-term prosperity and middle-class job creation.”
Wayne Long, Member of Parliament for Saint John–Rothesay, on behalf of the Honourable Amarjeet Sohi, Minister of Infrastructure and Communities
“Our Government’s $6 million investment in this strategic recreational infrastructure project will yield a significant return on investment by spurring economic activity and creating jobs in Greater Saint John. Plus, once the field house is complete, it will enhance the quality of life for families in the region.”
The Honourable Donald Arseneault, Minister of Post-Secondary Education, Training and Labour and minister responsible for the Regional Development Corporation
“Thank you to our government partners for helping us to build a healthier Saint John. We are pleased to add the field house to the wonderful recreational infrastructure our residents enjoy. A facility like this will surely be well used by our residents and allow us to attract even more sports, recreation and people to our City.”
Don Darling, Mayor of Saint John
“We are thrilled to see the announcement of this funding to support the development of this field house facility. This project is a community driven initiative which will bring new sporting events to our city and provide new opportunities for sports, recreation, and wellness for the whole Greater Saint John community. With the support of the Government of Canada and the Province of New Brunswick now confirmed, we will be working towards construction starting late this year and our goal of being open for use in the fall of 2019.”
Bill MacMackin, President of the Greater Saint John Field House Inc.
Quick facts
- The Government of Canada will provide more than $180 billion in infrastructure funding over 12 years for public transit, green infrastructure, social infrastructure, transportation that supports trade, and Canada’s rural and northern communities.
- The governments of Canada and New Brunswick are each contributing $6 million to this project through the New Building Canada Fund.
- Budget 2017 commits $21.9 billion to support social infrastructure—including sports and recreational facilities—in Canadian communities.
- These investments complement the Atlantic Growth Strategy, a 2-year federal-provincial action plan aimed at stimulating economic growth in the region through five priority areas:
-Skilled workforce/Immigration;
-Innovation;
-Clean growth and climate change;
-Trade and investment;
-Infrastructure.
Associated links
Government of Canada’s $180-billion+ infrastructure plan in Budget 2017: http://www.budget.gc.ca/2017/docs/plan/chap-02-en.html#Toc477707375
Federal infrastructure investments in New Brunswick: http://www.infrastructure.gc.ca/map-carte/nb-eng.html
New Building Canada Fund: Provincial-Territorial Infrastructure Component–National and Regional Projects: http://www.infrastructure.gc.ca/plan/nrp-pnr-prog-eng.html
Atlantic Growth Strategy: http://www.acoa-apeca.gc.ca/ags-sca/Eng/atlantic-growth.html.
Twitter: @INFC_eng
Web: Infrastructure Canada
SOURCE Infrastructure Canada
For further information: Kate Monfette, Director of Communications, Office of the Minister of Infrastructure and Communities, 613-301-0894, kate.monfette@canada.ca; Bruce Macfarlane, Communications, Regional Development Corporation, 506-444-4583, bruce.macfarlane@gnb.ca; Infrastructure Canada, 613-960-9251, Toll free: 1-877-250-7154, Email: infc.media.infc@canada.ca
