Governments Support Halifax Mainland Common Centre For Canada Games
The province and federal government today, Aug. 6, announced an investment of up to $12 million each for the Mainland Common Centre, a primary venue for the 2011 Canada Winter Games to be held in Halifax Regional Municipality.
Premier Rodney MacDonald, Peter MacKay, Minister of the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency, on behalf of the Lawrence Cannon, Minister of Transport, Infrastructure and Communities, and HRM Mayor Peter Kelly announced the support for the state-of-the-art centre, which will include competitive and warm-up pools and a field house with hard-court gymnasium space and a 200-metre indoor track.
"Today's announcement is good news not only for the community, but for the entire province and region," said Premier MacDonald. "Investing in the new centre is part of the province's commitment to encourage more Nova Scotians to live healthy and active lives. This resource will be a great legacy of the 2011 Canada Winter Games."
The federal funding comes from Building Canada, the government of Canada's long-term infrastructure plan.
"This announcement shows once again our government's support of community infrastructure, such as the Mainland Common Centre, which is an essential part of healthy Canadian cities and towns," said Mr. MacKay. "This project will provide an important facility to benefit athletes across the province and Canada, while generating important economic benefits for the Halifax region."
The centre will be equipped to host a variety of future provincial, national and international competitions. A local community area will also allow for other sports activities and provide classroom space and meeting rooms.
After the 2011 Canada Winter Games, it will help develop and train high-performance, competitive athletes The Canadian Sport Centre Atlantic will be established within at the Mainland Common Centre to attract athletes and provide them with a range of specialized services.
"The centre will be the heart of the Mainland Common, serving as a sports destination for HRM and the entire province as well as providing a venue for building a strong, closely linked community," said Mayor Kelly. "With our federal and provincial funding partners, we are very excited to begin construction of the Mainland Common Centre and look forward to enjoying the many benefits it will bring to our region."
With its innovative, environmentally friendly technologies and practices, facility managers will apply for a Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) silver designation. Innovations will include a geothermal well system for earth source heat/cooling, energy saving lighting technologies, and the use of recycled and local materials.
The federal government will provide up to $12 million through its Building Canada agreement with Nova Scotia. The province will invest $12 million towards the centre.
Federal financial support is subject to the signing of a funding agreement and will reimburse construction. HRM must also demonstrate its share of the remaining funding is secured.
Through its $33-billion Building Canada infrastructure plan, the government of Canada provides long-term, stable and predictable funding to help meet infrastructure needs across Canada. Building Canada supports a stronger, safer and better country. The governments of Canada and Nova Scotia signed the Canada-Nova Scotia Framework Agreement on Nov. 9, 2007 worth $634.38 million under the Building Canada plan.
For further information on the Building Canada plan, visit www.buildingcanada.gc.ca .
For further information on the Mainland Common Centre, visit www.halifax.ca .