News Release

EDMUNDSTON (CNB) – A new physical fitness and sports facility will be built for residents of Edmundston and the Madawaska region thanks to funding from the federal, provincial and municipal governments.

The funding was announced today by Post-Secondary Education, Training and Labour Minister  Donald Arseneault, who is also minister responsible for the Northern New Brunswick Initiative; National Revenue Minister Keith Ashfield, who is also minister of the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency (ACOA) and minister for the Atlantic Gateway; and Edmundston Mayor Jacques Martin.

“The provincial government is pleased to be investing in this important recreational project for Edmundston and the entire region,” said Arseneault. “Ensuring that we have good recreational facilities will help improve the quality of life for city and area residents, strengthen our communities, and help us keep more of our young people home.”

The multi-sport pavilion will replace an aging sport bubble, and will be built near the future campus of the Collège communautaire du Nouveau-Brunswick (CCNB), the Edmundston campus of the Université de Moncton, and the Cité des Jeunes A.-M.-Sormany high school. It will be used for sports such as track and field, tennis, basketball, badminton, volleyball, judo, soccer and walking.

“Our government’s investment will help the City of Edmundston build a new multi-sport facility for generations of families to enjoy,” said Ashfield. “This project will contribute to the economic development of the region, by creating jobs, while encouraging healthy living for local residents.”

The Government of Canada, through ACOA, is contributing more than $1 million to the project under the Recreational Infrastructure Canada program. The provincial government is contributing $4 million, and the City of Edmundston, $2 million.

“Thanks to the exceptional support provided by the two other levels of government, we are able to build an essential infrastructure that will give a boost to community and sports development right in the heart of the area with the largest concentration of young people in northwestern New Brunswick,” said Martin. “The new multi-sport pavilion will serve the entire community, and we are very proud of it. In addition, it fits in directly with our new strategic plan to make the City of Edmundston more creative, open and energetic.”