The retrofit of the O'Leary Community Complex and upgrades to the Souris Town Hall, are now complete thanks to support from the governments of Canada and Prince Edward Island. The improvements will contribute to community building and a cleaner environment for Islanders.
The O’Leary Community Complex is now more energy efficient thanks to improvements including the replacement of the roof and the installation of a new geothermal heating system. These changes will extend the building’s life span.
Souris’ Town Hall is an integral part of the Town's history and culture. Improvements to the building included the replacement of roofing, new copper roofing extending to the front facade, repairs to eaves and dormers, as well as the installation of new gutters.
“Building quality infrastructure is a part of developing prosperous and vibrant communities,” said Minister Shea. “Our government is proud to have partnered with our provincial and municipal partners to improve O’Leary’s Community Complex and Souris’ Town Hall.”
“By helping maintain and upgrade community facilities like the community complex in O’Leary and the town hall in Souris, the province is showing its commitment to rural Prince Edward Island,” said Minister of Transportation and Infrastructure Renewal Ron MacKinley. “The improvements made to these buildings will improve energy efficiency and reduce maintenance costs over the long term.”
“This work has vastly improved the energy efficiency of our community complex,” said O’Leary Community Chair Nancy Wallace. “It was a big commitment, but it will save the community money for years to come. I’d like to thank the province and the federal government for their support.”
“The improvements made to the roof at Historic Souris Town Hall will help preserve the building and reduce maintenance costs,” said Mayor David MacDonald. “The building just received a heritage designation from the province so the timing of the work couldn’t have been better. I’d like to thank the province and the federal government for participating in this project.”
For the Community of O’Leary’s project, the Government of Canada is contributing about $78,500 with a matching contribution from the Province of Prince Edward Island. The Community of O’Leary contributed the remaining balance of the total project cost of just over $235,500. The Government of Canada is contributing up to $14,600, with a matching contribution from the Province of Prince Edward Island, to the Town of Souris’s project. The town contributed the remaining balance of the total project cost of $43,800. Canada’s contributions come from the Infrastructure Stimulus Fund, and Prince Edward Island’s funding comes from Build PEI.
Canada and Prince Edward Island are working together to create jobs and boost the economy, while making significant investments that help communities improve their infrastructure. In Prince Edward Island, some 20 projects have been approved since the launch of the Infrastructure Stimulus Fund. As part of the Government of Canada’s Economic Action Plan, the Infrastructure Stimulus Fund is supporting approximately 4,100 infrastructure projects across the country.