Federal and Provincial governments invest in upgrades to the Keswick Valley Regional Arena

October 03, 2009

Left to right are: Kirk MacDonald, York North MLA; Mike Allen, Tobique-Mactaquac; Ed Gill, Chairman of the Keswick Valley Regional Arena Inc.; and Greg Byrne, New Brunswick Minister of Finance.

Burtt’s Corner (NB) – Keswick Valley residents received good news today as the governments of Canada and New Brunswick announced a combined investment of more than $45,000 for upgrades to the Keswick Valley Arena in Burtt’s Corner.  The announcement was made by Tobique-Mactaquac MP Mike Allen, on behalf of the Honourable Keith Ashfield, Minister of State (Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency), and Greg Byrne, Minister of Finance.

The federal government is contributing $25,264 through the Recreational Infrastructure Canada (RInC) Program, a key economic stimulus initiative under Canada’s Economic Action Plan. The Province of New Brunswick is investing $20,000, while the Keswick Valley Regional Arena Inc. is providing the additional $26,218 required to complete the project.

“Our government’s economic action plan, is taking fast action to reduce the effect of the global economic slowdown,” said MP Allen. “This investment will add to the quality of life of residents in Burtt’s Corner and in surrounding communities in Keswick Valley.”

“The Province of New Brunswick is proud to be a partner in this community project,” said Byrne, on behalf of Business New Brunswick Minister Victor Boudreau, minister responsible for the Regional Development Corporation. “These infrastructure upgrades will allow our people to continue to be active, and our communities to continue to thrive.”

The rehabilitation project will allow Keswick Valley Regional Arena Inc., a non-profit charitable organization that administers the indoor facility, to replace the existing dehumidifiers and improve the lighting in the arena. The upgrades are expected to reduce the energy costs associated with the operation of the facility. 

“The funds provided by the federal and provincial governments make the additional upgrades to our arena possible,” said Mr. Gill, Chairman of the Keswick Valley Regional Arena. “Without funding to small non-profit organizations in non-incorporated areas like this our ability to operate and maintain a facility would be very difficult. It is nice to see our tax dollars being spent on the youth of our region.”

Canada's Economic Action Plan is providing $500 million over two years for the RInC program to support the upgrading and renewal of recreational facilities in communities across the country. RInC is delivered in Atlantic Canada by ACOA.  Under RInC, the Government of Canada will fund up to 33 per cent of eligible costs. The remaining funding is leveraged from other project stakeholders including provincial, territorial, municipal and other partners. The federal contribution to any project receiving funding under the program is not to exceed $1 million. Projects are selected on the basis of merit and construction readiness, and must be completed before March 31, 2011

For details on project eligibility and how to submit an application, please refer to the program backgrounder on ACOA’s website at www.acoa-apeca.gc.ca.

For information on Canada's Economic Action Plan, please visit www.actionplan.gc.ca.


FOR BROADCAST USE:

Tobique Mactaquac MP Mike Allen, together with Minister of Finance Greg Byrne today announced a combined investment of more than $45,000 for upgrades to the Keswick Valley arena in Burtt’s Corner. This funding will help stimulate the economy, enhance local services, and contribute to the health and quality of life of families in the region.

A total of $500 million over two years has been set aside through RInC to support upgrades and repairs to recreational facilities in communities throughout Canada. ACOA delivers RInC in Atlantic Canada. The fund, part of Canada’s Economic Action Plan, is helping mitigate the impacts of the global economic recession by increasing construction activity in the recreational sector.