REXTON (CNB) – Federal, provincial and municipal government representatives participated in the reopening of the Rexton Recreational Centre at a ceremony here today.
"Ensuring our regions have recreational infrastructure is important as we encourage our residents to become more physically active," said Transportation and Infrastructure Minister Claude Williams. "The provincial government is proud to have played a major part in this important project for Rexton and the region."
Williams spoke on behalf of Economic Development Minister Paul Robichaud.
"Recreational infrastructure is vital to the health of a community, as these facilities help tie a community together," said Miramichi MP Tilly O'Neill Gordon. "Our government's investment of more than $100,000 in this project has helped the Village of Rexton to renovate and improve a valuable community recreation centre that is used by families and individuals throughout the Rexton area."
O'Neill Gordon attended the event on behalf of Bernard Valcourt, minister of state for the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency and for La Francophonie.
The recreational facility has been upgraded and expanded. Work on the centre included the installation of a new heating and cooling system and repairs to the roof. The facility has an indoor curling rink and an outdoor rink. In the summer, the facilities will be used for youth recreational baseball and for community celebrations.
"I would like to thank the Government of Canada and the Province of New Brunswick for their valuable contributions toward the expansion of our sports and recreation center, including the replacement of our outdoor skating rink," said Rexton Mayor David Hanson. "This sports and recreation center is a very important component not only for Rexton but for all of Kent County, in allowing people of all ages, from youth to seniors, to participate in activities that promote their health and social well being."
The federal government of Canada invested $102,500 through the Recreational Infrastructure Canada program, a key economic stimulus initiative under Canada's Economic Action Plan. The provincial government contributed $610,000 to the project through the Regional Development Corporation, and the Village of Rexton contributed $100,000.
08-08-11