New synthetic surface for Cégep de Thetford soccer-football field

November 13, 2009

Canada-Quebec Recreational Infrastructure Canada Program Agreement

Thetford Mines, Quebec – Cégep de Thetford’s soccer-football field will soon have a new synthetic surface. This was announced today by the Honourable Christian Paradis, Minister of Public Works and Government Services and Member of Parliament for Mégantic-L’Érable and Laurent Lessard, Minister of Municipal Affairs, Regions and Land Occupancy, Minister responsible for the Chaudière-Appalaches and Centre-du-Québec regions and Member of the National Assembly for Frontenac, acting on behalf of Michelle Courchesne, Minister of Education, Recreation and Sports.

This project is to be carried out with $1,000,529 in government assistance, contributed in equal parts by the governments of Canada and Quebec, in partnership with Cégep de Thetford, the City of Thetford Mines and different donors, for $2,001,058 in total investment. The project involves replacing the existing field’s natural surface by a synthetic surface as well as installing a lighting system and stands.

“I am delighted, both for the students at Cégep de Thetford and for the residents of Thetford Mines,” stated Mr. Lessard. “Owing to the great popularity of such team sports as soccer and football, municipalities have to meet ever-growing demand. This synthetic-surface field will meet the standards of Quebec’s soccer federation and the Canadian Football League, so high-level competitions can be held here. It will encourage more people, particularly the young, to lead physically active lives. The Quebec government is once again showing its commitment to Quebecers’ quality of life.”

“Much of our recreational infrastructure is in need of renovation and upgrading,” noted Minister Paradis. “In a period of recession such as we are currently experiencing, it is difficult to undertake such costly projects. That is why the federal government has implemented the Recreational Infrastructure Canada Program, which will invest $500 million over two years in modernizing our sports and recreational facilities Canada-wide. I am delighted to see this project move forward, because it will help enhance the quality of life of students at the Cegep, and of all residents in the region who use its sports facilities.”

The governments of Canada and Quebec signed an agreement to accelerate the execution of recreational infrastructure modernization and rehabilitation projects in Quebec over the next two years. To that end, the Government of Canada will invest $37.4 million and the Government of Quebec at least an equivalent amount for recreational infrastructure projects carried out in cost-sharing partnership with municipal administrations or local organizations. These investments are thus expected to generate greater financial leverage, as is the case with the other infrastructure programs.

The funding announced today has been awarded under the Programme de soutien aux installations sportives et récréatives of the Government of Quebec’s Fonds pour le développement du sport et de l’activité physique and the Government of Canada’s Recreational Infrastructure Canada Program.