May 27 2013
Funding partners, facility managers, donors, and residents gathered today to mark the official opening of the new Credit Union CUplex.
With something for everyone, this four-component facility includes the Dekker Centre for the Performing Arts, the Northland Power Curling Centre, the NATIONSWEST Field House, and the Battlefords CO-OP Aquatic Centre.
“Our government is proud to support a venue where our citizens can actively participate in the community,” said the Honourable Gerry Ritz, Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food, and Member of Parliament for Battlefords—Lloydminster. “Infrastructure investments are an important driver of economic growth and job creation and this facility will undoubtedly be an excellent addition here in North Battleford.”
“The CUplex is a great marriage of recreational and cultural facilities and is a testament to the vision and determination of the project’s many supporters,” said Battlefords Member of the Legislative Assembly Herb Cox, on behalf of the Government of Saskatchewan and Cabinet Ministers Kevin Doherty and Jim Reiter. “Through our Saskatchewan Plan for Growth we are committed to making vital infrastructure investments that improve the quality of life in our communities.”
“It is evident to me that the Credit Union CUplex has already become a gathering place for the people of North Battleford,” said North Battleford Mayor Ian Hamilton. “With its broad range of healthy programs and culture, the CUplex is not only attracting residents, but also people from surrounding communities. We are very proud of this facility and thankful to all who have contributed to it.”
“The communities we serve are the cornerstones of our organization,” said Dan Johnson, Innovation Credit Union CEO. “That’s why when we were approached to help sponsor a multiplex, we saw it as an opportunity to foster growth and development in the Battlefords -- a way to enhance the lives of its residents.”
The Credit Union CUplex was made possible thanks to funding commitments from various levels of government and community fundraising. The Dekker Centre for the Performing Arts benefitted from a total of $14 million in joint funding from all levels of government through the Government of Canada’s Provincial-Territorial Base Fund. As well, the Government of Canada contributed approximately $2.5 million from the federal Gas Tax Fund toward the complex’s energy conservation system.
The Government of Saskatchewan contributed $7 million to the project through its Building Communities Program and another $1.4 million through the Municipal Economic Enhancement Program, as well as a commitment of $900,000 under its Infrastructure Growth Initiative Recreation Pilot Program. Further, including their contributions toward the Dekker Centre component, the City of North Battleford committed $10 million toward the overall cost of the $59 million complex, the Rural Municipality of North Battleford pledged $175,000, and the community fundraising group “Raise the Roof” contributed $10 million.
Canada's Economic Action Plan 2013 is delivering a New Building Canada Plan to build roads, bridges, subways, commuter rail, and other public infrastructure in cooperation with provinces, territories, and municipalities. Thanks to the Government of Canada's leadership and our strong economic and financial fundamentals, the Canadian economy has recovered from the global recession better than most other industrialized countries. Canada has been a leader among G-7 countries throughout the recovery with more than 910,000 net new jobs created since July 2009. The New Building Canada Plan, combined with other federal infrastructure investments, supports Canada's infrastructure advantage, a key enabler of economic growth and job creation.
Source: http://www.cityofnb.ca/