The restoration of Wellington’s Vanier Centre, carried out thanks to an investment from the governments of Canada and Prince Edward Island, will contribute to the revitalization of the Acadian and Francophone community by offering increased community space for residents to express and promote their French cultural heritage.
The Honourable Gail Shea, Minister of Fisheries and Oceans, and Sonny Gallant, MLA for Évangeline-Miscouche representing the Honourable Ron MacKinley, Minister of Transportation and Infrastructure Renewal of Prince Edward Island, joined together today with Gilles Painchaud, Chairperson for Wellington Municipal Council, to celebrate the completion of restoration work of the Vanier Centre.
This project, in the heart of Prince Edward Island's francophone community, involved the restoration of the Vanier Centre, which houses the community offices, the Evangeline Cablevision Co-op and a community hall for events. The hall and kitchen facilities were renovated to accommodate more people, while the municipal offices, multi-purpose boardroom and room for the Evangeline Cablevision Co-op were completely rebuilt. The building is now fully accessible.
“This is an investment that will improve local infrastructure and encourage stronger and healthier communities for generations to come,” said Minister Shea. “Our Government is proud to have contributed to the restoration of the centre, thus helping to improve the quality of life of Acadians and Francophones of Wellington in many ways."
“By investing in major improvements to the Vanier Centre, the province is demonstrating its commitment to rural Prince Edward Island,” said MLA Gallant. “The renovations to the building will help the municipal council better serve the community by making the building accessible to all, and by providing additional space for community groups.”
“It’s always nice to see a dream become a reality,” said Mister Painchaud. “Today Wellington has a new Centre for the Community to enjoy and be proud of. By partnering with the federal and provincial governments we were able to almost completely re-build the facility. The Community couldn’t be more pleased with the results.”
The federal and provincial governments are contributing $500,000 in funding to support the restoration of the centre. The Government of Canada is contributing $250,000 under the Infrastructure Stimulus Fund with a matching contribution of $250,000 from the Province of Prince Edward Island through Build PEI. The remaining project costs were covered by the Community of Wellington.
As part of the Government of Canada’s Economic Action Plan, the $4-billion Infrastructure Stimulus Fund is providing funding for approximately 4,000 infrastructure projects across the country.
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. Both governments have agreed to work together to ensure that these funds are delivered quickly and efficiently to municipalities in Prince Edward Island. In Prince Edward Island, some 20 projects, totaling a federal investment of over $16 million, have been approved since the launch of the Infrastructure Stimulus Fund.
For more information, please visit www.creatingjobs.gc.ca.
To learn more about Canada’s Economic Action Plan, visit www.actionplan.gc.ca.
To learn more about capital projects on Prince Edward Island visit www.buildpei.ca