Residents of the Island’s largest Acadian community are beginning to see their new Multi-Generational Sports Facility take shape thanks to investments from the Government of Canada, the Province of Prince Edward Island and the community itself. The construction of the new facility is now underway.
“Our Government is pleased to partner on infrastructure initiatives that contribute to the health and quality of life for people in communities across Atlantic Canada,” said the Honourable Gail Shea, Minister of Fisheries and Oceans. “It is through investments, like this one, to the Evangeline Multi-Generational Sporting Facility that we are able to contribute to the recovery of the local economy.”
The former Evangeline Rec Centre was destroyed by a devastating fire in April of 2010. But almost as soon as the building fell, the community came together to see the facility replaced. In December of 2010, the three levels of government announced that a deal had been reached to begin to construct a brand new facility.
“The province sees the construction of a new sports facility in Evangeline as an investment in the health and well-being of this very important community,” said Premier Robert Ghiz. “I want to commend the community for all its hard work to secure funding and make this project a reality. I am very pleased to see the progress that’s been made thus far.”
The Government of Canada through the Building Canada Fund Communities Component and the Recreational Infrastructure Fund Canada has invested almost $1.6 million. The Province of Prince Edward Island, through Build PEI and the Island Community Fund, has invested an additional $1.6 million and the Evangeline Recreation Commission has made an investment of $2 million to rebuild the facility.
“Thanks to the help of the federal and provincial governments as well as the support of our contributors and volunteers, our new rink and fitness centre will soon be up and running,” said Guy Arsenault, President of the Evangeline Recreation Commission. “We now look forward to the opening ceremony of the centre this fall.”
This new facility will house a new NHL-sized ice surface and related dressing rooms, a state-of-the-art fitness centre, administration offices and a hospitality centre. The new facility will also use new environmentally friendly components to use less heating and electricity. The new Evangeline Sports Facility is scheduled for completion in the fall of 2011.
For more information on the Building Canada plan visit www.buildingcanada.gc.ca or www.gov.pe.ca/go/infrastructure.
For more information on capital projects on Prince Edward Island visit www.buildpei.ca.