Prime Minister Stephen Harper announces construction of a new arena in Stanstead

March 26, 2010

Pat Burns Arena will greatly contribute to improving the quality of life for youth in the region

STANSTEAD, QUEBEC – Prime Minister Stephen Harper, accompanied by Christian Paradis, Minister of Natural Resources, and Denis Lebel, Minister of State for the Economic Development Agency of Canada for the Regions of Quebec, along with Senator Jacques Demers and Senator Pierre-Hugues Boisvenu, announced today that the Government of Canada will fund an infrastructure project in Stanstead.  The new arena will be named after retired National Hockey League coach Pat Burns.

"We recognize the importance of supporting recreation infrastructure projects that will stimulate the economy and create jobs while promoting a healthy lifestyle for our youth," said the Prime Minister.  "Projects like the one announced today in Stanstead are part of our strategy to provide Canadians with the quality of life that Canada is renowned for.  The Government of Canada is very pleased that this arena will bear the name of Pat Burns, a man who has been influential to youth in the region.”

The Pat Burns Arena will serve the residents of the Town of Stanstead, the municipalities of Magog and Coaticook and the students of Stanstead College. The new building will seat over 350 people.


The Government of Canada’s contribution for this type of project is made through the Quebec-Building Canada Fund, Communities Component, under which both levels of government provide matching funding for infrastructure projects in Quebec communities with fewer than 100,000 residents.

For more details on Canada's Economic Action Plan, consult http://www.actionplan.gc.ca/eng/index.asp
 
To learn more about the Government of Canada's infrastructure investments, consult: http://www.buildingcanada-chantierscanada.gc.ca/index-eng.html



Backgrounder

CANADA’S ECONOMIC ACTION PLAN

PAT BURNS ARENA

This project by the Town of Stanstead, Quebec, will build a new 3,750 m” arena that can seat over 350 people.  It will serve the Town, the neighbouring municipalities of Magog and Coaticook and students at Stanstead College. The project will benefit a client population of approximately 7,000 people.  Specifically, the work includes extending the residential sewer system and the combined sewer and storm sewer system.  The project also involves building a reinforced concrete foundation and slabs for the different sections of the building, including the arena's skating rink.  The assembly of the building structure, composed of steel panels; the installation of doors and windows; electromechanical work, including plumbing, electricity, ventilation, refrigeration and heating systems; and site development will complete the project.
 
The Town of Stanstead's current arena was built in 1954 and is owned by Stanstead College.  That arena is in an advanced state of disrepair.  Upgrading it would not be a profitable long-term investment.  Under the circumstances, the construction of a new arena is essential.  The Town of Stanstead will be responsible for building this infrastructure.  The new arena in Stanstead, to be named for Pat Burns, will help to not only maintain and develop the College's activities and to meet a recurrent need for ice time for Magog and Coaticook, but will also provide the local community with an essential venue for maintaining its vitality.
 
The total cost of the project is $8,340,127.  The federal and provincial governments will each contribute $2,680,818, for total financial assistance of $5,361,636.  The Town of Stanstead will contribute $ 2,680,817 for eligible costs and $297,674 for ineligible costs.
 
The project was initiated through an agreement in principle concluded with the Government of Quebec in connection with the Quebec–Building Canada Fund, Communities Component, which is part of Canada's Economic Action Plan and is managed in Quebec for the federal government by Canada Economic Development.  In 2007, the Government of Canada launched the $33-billion Building Canada Plan.  On January 27, 2009, the Government launched Canada's Economic Action Plan, which included $5.5 billion in new infrastructure stimulus funding to be provided by Infrastructure Canada.  In addition to this new funding, through the Economic Action Plan, existing Building Canada funding is being accelerated.