NORTH SYDNEY (NS) – April 16, 2009 – Northside residents will be skating and walking their way to better health in a new $12 million multi-purpose facility, thanks to investments by the Governments of Canada, Nova Scotia and the Cape Breton Regional Municipality (CBRM). The announcement was made today by the Honourable Peter MacKay, Minister of National Defence and Minister for the Atlantic Gateway, Justice Minister Cecil Clarke, on behalf of Health Promotion and Protection Minister Pat Dunn and CBRM Mayor John Morgan.
“The Northside Civic Centre will be a focal point for the community, providing amenities that support a healthy lifestyle” said Minister MacKay. “The Government of Canada’s focus is to stimulate the economy – this project does that by putting people to work building a facility that will enable the community to host various sporting, recreation and trade events.”
“Whether it’s playing hockey, power-walking on the indoor track or going for a family skate, this new facility will help Cape Bretoners live more active, healthy lives,” said Minister Clarke. The Northside Civic Centre will feature an NHL-sized arena with seating for 800 spectators, and will have a walking track built around the perimeter. The facility will also have multipurpose rooms, kitchen facilities and office space.
“The Civic Centre is an important addition to the CBRM community, providing the Northside with important recreational and economic development infrastructure,” said Mayor Morgan. “Young and old alike will benefit from this facility.”
“The Northside community strongly supports this initiative as witnessed by the response to our public fund raising campaign,” said Leo Steele, chairperson of the Northside Civic Centre Society. “To date we have raised $1.5 million in cash and pledges for this project.”
Total project costs are estimated to be $12 million. The Government of Canada, through Enterprise Cape Breton Corporation, will provide $4 million. The Province of Nova Scotia is investing $4 million from its Building Facilities and Infrastructure Together (B-FIT) program. The Cape Breton Regional Municipality will contribute $2.5 million and has agreed to provide construction management services to the project.
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INFORMATION:
Leo Steele, Chairperson
Northside Civic Centre Society
902-794-2713
Rachel Boomer
Health Promotion and Protection
902-424-5323
Rachel.boomer@gov.ns.ca
D.A. Landry
Enterprise Cape Breton Corporation
902-567-3617
DA.Landry@ecbc-secb.gc.ca