GOVERNMENT OF CANADA INVESTS IN COMMUNITY INFRASTRUCTURE IN THE CAPE BRETON REGIONAL MUNICIPALITY

SYDNEY (NS) – August 7, 2013 – Significant improvements are being made to community infrastructure in the Cape Breton Regional Municipality (CBRM) thanks to investments by the Government of Canada. The Honourable Lisa Raitt, Minister of Transport, announced the funding today on behalf of the Honourable Rob Moore, Minister of State (Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency).

“Our Government is pleased to demonstrate its support for several excellent community infrastructure improvements that will help promote economic activity in Cape Breton,” said Minister Raitt. “Our investment, which totals in excess of $900,000, will benefit residents and visitors to the area and provide a lasting legacy of modernized community facilities for future generations.”

“I want to thank the federal government for working with us on these important investments,” said Mayor Cecil Clarke. “Through our positive partnership, we are making great strides forward in the CBRM, today and in the future.”

Working in partnership with the CBRM, investments are being made in a number of community amenities.

The Sydney Ports Corporation, which operates the Sydney Marine Terminal on behalf of the CBRM, is making infrastructure improvements to the Joan Harriss Cruise Pavilion to enhance the experience of visitors to the area.  This project will see enhancements to the welcome/departure area, additional signage, photography and displays of Cape Breton Island, improved decor and upgrades to the kitchen/cafe area. Total costs are $331,564 and Enterprise Cape Breton Corporation (ECBC) is investing $248,673.

Sydney’s Centre 200, Cape Breton’s premiere recreation and entertainment venue, will benefit from two projects.

The CBRM is upgrading the refrigeration plant at Centre 200 at a cost of $1.4 million. ECBC is contributing $499,171 to the project that will result in significant annual operational savings for the facility. The second Centre 200 enhancement involves the purchase of a basketball floor and two portable nets with shot clocks. This added infrastructure will assist in efforts to attract a more diversified range of events. Total project costs are $80,000 and ECBC is providing $60,000.

Given Centre 200’s significance in attracting major events to Cape Breton, ECBC has provided in excess of $5 million in assistance for improvements to the facility since 2010.

ECBC is also contributing to the cost of a conceptual development plan for the Sydney waterfront from Wentworth Park to Victoria Park. The study will provide a strategic framework to guide future public and private sector investment on the waterfront. The total cost of the consulting exercise is $60,000 and ECBC is providing $30,000.

The CBRM will also implement Phase IV of its Active Transportation Plan designed to provide a number of transportation infrastructure improvements to promote active living through walking and cycling. Phase IV includes the Renwick Brook tunnel engineering study, Sydney Harbour shuttle feasibility study, King’s Road interceptor sewer trail study, the addition of interpretive displays and amenities to enhance the Greenlink Trail System, SPAR Road shoulder upgrades and bike services including bike lanes and bike racks on public transit, signage and related programming. Total project costs are $579,833 and ECBC is providing $72,500.

Enterprise Cape Breton Corporation is a federal Crown corporation offering programs in support of commercial development, community development, environmental stewardship and real property development on Cape Breton Island and in the Mulgrave area.

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INFORMATION:

Christina Lamey Office of the Mayor Cape Breton Regional Municipality 902 574-0178	Jennifer Petrie ECBC Communications 902 564-3950