Premier Pat Binns and Development Minister Don MacKinnon today announced that the first community development initiative approved under the recently announced Community Development Bureau would be the Tyne Valley Recreation and Community Development Centre, a project undertaken by the Tyne Valley Development Corporation.
"All across the province people are taking control of their futures by coming together locally to work towards common goals that will be of lasting benefit to their community. This project certainly reflects that principle, having been endorsed by the community groups in the greater Tyne Valley area. It's a good example of how the Bureau can partner with island communities to respond to local needs and support projects of long-term benefit," says Premier Binns.
Once completed, this initiative by the people of Tyne Valley will see the reconstruction of the local rink which is home to a thriving minor hockey program, recreational hockey, and figure skating. The rink also hosts a number of other activities throughout the year, including the Tyne Valley Oyster Festival.
"Rinks, along with other community infrastructure like schools, churches, and halls, help bring islanders closer together by strengthening the social fabric in our rural communities like Tyne Valley," notes Premier Binns.
The Province of Prince Edward Island will be supporting this initiative in two ways. One, the Provincial Sales Tax on the rink reconstruction will be rebated up to a maximum of $50,000, the maximum intended value of endorsement for any project by the Community Development Bureau. This is consistent with Provincial Treasury's policy of not charging PST on ice making equipment for rinks. In addition, the Province has approved another $46,000 from the Regional Economic Development Agreement (REDA) to extend 3-phase power to the village.
"Extending 3-phase power to the village will benefit the community by helping reduce the cost of operating the rink and improving the community infrastructure for future economic development," MacKinnon points out.
"The Community Development Bureau is an innovative program that supports our government's efforts to partner with rural island communities. I'm pleased that the Bureau is supporting this project by the people of Tyne Valley and I look forward to more island communities following their example," MacKinnon said.