WINNIPEG - February 24, 2012 - Federal, provincial and municipal representatives gathered today in Winnipeg to celebrate the grand opening of the recently expanded Southdale Community Centre.
The Centre now boasts a new hockey arena, a 3,800-square-foot recreational rink and change rooms -welcome additions to an important facility that supports one of the fastest-growing areas of Winnipeg. This project has significantly increased available ice time for hockey players, figure skaters and the general public.
"Centres like these bring people together to share activities and strengthen the bonds of the community," said Erin Selby, Minister of Advanced Education and Literacy. "Expanding this beautiful facility will meet the needs of area families now and in the years ahead. The Province is proud to invest in keeping families and communities active."
"Projects like the expanded Southdale Community Centre are what help build strong and vibrant communities across Manitoba," said Shelly Glover, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Finance and MP for Saint-Boniface, on behalf of the Honourable Denis Lebel, Minister of Transport, Infrastructure and Communities. "I'm happy to see federal investment support important infrastructure projects such as this one, which created jobs and economic growth and will benefit the residents of Southdale and the surrounding area for many years to come."
"This facility has received new life and, as Mayor, I am proud the City has played a leading role in its rebirth," said Winnipeg Mayor Sam Katz. "Between the major commitment by the City and the support of Qualico Developments and Tod Niblock through Sponsor Winnipeg, families of Southdale Community Centre will have a quality facility for generations to come."
"The expansion at the Southdale Community Centre has been a fantastic addition for the families & communities of South Winnipeg and the city at large," said Dorothy Ross, Major Fundraising Chair with the Southdale Community Centre. "We are striving to keep people, of all ages, active and healthy - with the invaluable assistance and support of all three levels of government we have been able to take a large step toward that goal."
The total project cost was $9.4 million, with the federal and provincial governments each committing $2 million towards eligible project costs under the Infrastructure Stimulus Fund. Remaining funds of $5.4 million were provided by the City of Winnipeg, the Province of Manitoba, the private sector and the community centre.
The Infrastructure Stimulus Fund is part of Canada's Economic Action Plan. Thanks to Canada's Economic Action Plan and our strong economic and financial fundamentals, the Canadian economy has recovered from the global recession better than most other industrialized countries. Canada has been a leader amongst G-7 countries throughout the recovery with more than 600,000 net new jobs created since July 2009.
In Manitoba alone, close to $140 million was committed to 111 projects in communities across the province. In every corner of the province, jobs were created when the economy needed them most.
For further information on Infrastructure Canada's projects in Manitoba, visit infrastructure.gc.ca. To learn more about Canada's Economic Action Plan, visit www.actionplan.gc.ca.
To learn more about Manitoba's infrastructure projects, please visit www.infrastructure.gc.ca.
