Montréal, Quebec, June 15, 2011 – Acting on behalf of Line Beauchamp, Quebec Minister of Education, Recreation and Sports, Gerry Sklavounos, Member of the National Assembly for Laurier-Dorion, today officially inaugurated the new facilities of Uniprix Stadium, which include four clay tennis courts, a trainers' room and locker rooms for users of the Tennis Canada National Training Centre. The Honourable Denis Lebel, Minister of Transport, Infrastructure and Communities and Minister of the Economic Development Agency of Canada for the Regions of Quebec, though unable to attend today's ceremony, expressed his delight that this important project has now been completed.
"This initiative will serve the community on many levels. Competitive tennis players and amateurs alike from across the Montréal region will now have access to a new surface on which to develop their skills or perfect their game for the purposes of competition," commented Minister Lebel.
"These top-notch facilities will enable players to train year-round in conditions similar to those found at international competitions. It is also important to note that these courts, which will be used by Tennis Montréal and Tennis Québec, will also be accessible to the general public," added Gerry Sklavounos.
This partnership project was made possible thanks to a total investment of $5,115,881, toward which the Government of Quebec contributed $1,557,940 and the Government of Canada $1 million. The remainder of the funding was provided by the City of Montréal and Tennis Canada.
The aim of this infrastructure project was to allow Uniprix Stadium to consolidate its position as Canada's leading national training centre for tennis. The four new clay courts will complement the facility's existing 24 hard-surface courts (12 indoor and 12 outdoor).
The two-year Canada-Quebec Recreational Infrastructure Canada Program Agreement signed by the two levels of government has helped accelerate the execution of various recreational infrastructure projects in Quebec. The agreement called for the Government of Canada to invest $76 million and the Government of Quebec at least that amount in recreational infrastructure projects carried out in cost-sharing partnership with municipal administrations or local organizations. These investments thus create greater financial leverage, as is the case with the other infrastructure programs.
The government funding for this project was granted through the Recreational Infrastructure Canada program and 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.
About the Recreational Infrastructure Canada program
The economic action plan adopted by the federal government in January 2009 and under which the Recreational Infrastructure Canada program falls has helped offset the impacts of the global economic downturn. Government investments in recreational infrastructure have contributed to the creation of jobs and improved quality of life for Canadians. For more on this plan, visit www.actionplan.gc.ca.
About the Fonds pour le développement du sport et de l’activité physique
The Fonds pour le développement du sport et de l’activité physique was created by the Government of Quebec to ensure all of the province’s regions access to new and improved sports facilities in order to promote healthier lifestyles among their populations. For further details on this initiative, see www.mels.gouv.qc.ca.
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Sources:
Dave Leclerc
Press Secretary
Minister of Education, Recreation and Sports
Tel.: 418-644-0664
Benoît Fortin
Special Assistant, Communications
Office of the Honourable Denis Lebel
Canada Economic Development
Tel.: 819-997-3319
E-mail: benoit.fortin@dec-ced.gc.ca
