City receives $2 million for much needed Civic Centre renovation

June 26, 2009

(Brantford) June 26, 2009/ - Brantford will benefit from a joint federal and provincial investment of $2 million to renovate the Brantford Civic Centre, under the Recreational Infrastructure Canada Program and Recreation Ontario.

These programs were designed to provide a timely, targeted stimulus to the economy through investments that will spur construction activity related to existing recreational infrastructure. Beyond economic stimulus and job creation, renewing, rehabilitating and modernizing our recreational infrastructure has the additional benefit of encouraging higher levels of participation in physical activity and community building.

MP Phil McColeman and MPP Dave Levac were joined on the steps of the Civic Centre today by City of Brantford Mayor Mike Hancock to make the announcement.

“This is great news for the City of Brantford,” said Hancock.  “The Civic Centre is in great need of renovation and the City could not afford to have done this alone.  We’re very appreciative of the federal and provincial governments for partnering with us to make it a reality.”

“In 1967 the community came together to build the Civic Centre, today we’re coming together again to make sure future generations can enjoy it,” said McColeman.  “Our government is proud to support recreational infrastructure, this investment will stimulate the local economy, enhance local facilities and services and help foster a vibrant, dynamic community.”

“Once again, by working together with all levels of government - as citizens have come to expect - we are improving infrastructure, creating jobs and forming partnerships of mutual respect and co-operation,” said Brant MPP Dave Levac.  “The Ontario government welcomes its partners to help create jobs during this difficult economic downturn. Our communities need help to renew their infrastructure and together we’ll get that job done."

This Civic Centre project is one of 758 projects announced today by Minister of State (Science and Technology) Gary Goodyear, on behalf of the Honourable Tony Clement, Minister of Industry, and Ontario Minister of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs Leona Dombrowsky, on behalf of George Smitherman, Ontario Minister of Energy and Infrastructure, worth a total joint federal and provincial investment of more than $380 million.

Projects were selected on the basis of merit and construction readiness.