Queens Place Recreation Centre Opens
A new recreational, social and cultural facility for Queens County will give residents access to high-quality sports and recreation opportunities to stay fit and healthy, while having fun.
Premier Darrell Dexter, South Shore-St. Margaret's MP Gerald Keddy, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of International Trade, for the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency and for the Atlantic Gateway, and John Leefe, Mayor of the Region of Queens Municipality, attended the grand opening today, Dec. 19.
"The province invests in good health by supporting community facilities that encourage Nova Scotians to lead healthier, more active lifestyles," said Premier Dexter, a Queens County native. "This new recreation centre is a landmark and will help make life even better for families in Queens County, by ensuring they have the means necessary to get fit, stay health and have fun."
"Our government is proud to invest in infrastructure projects that create local jobs, support economic growth, and build strong and healthy communities," said Mr. Keddy, on behalf of the Denis Lebel, Minister of Transport, Infrastructure and Communities. "Families and residents of the region will appreciate the great benefits that Queens Place will offer for many years to come."
The Queens Place Recreation Centre will be a year-round facility that will serve as the central hub for important community activities.
"Our facility will incorporate so many new opportunities as well as upgrade others that have historically been available to residents and visitors alike," said Mayor John Leefe. "It speaks to people of all ages, wellness, culture, sporting and other events and will be an economic driver enhancing current businesses and encouraging new investment in the Queens community."
"Queens Place is a dream come true. This complex is one of the most important projects to ever take place to serve all the people in the Region of Queens Municipality and surrounding areas," said municipal councillor Doug Adams, Chair of Queens Place Committee.
The new facility's many features include a regulation-sized ice pad with fixed seating for 1,000 spectators. It will also include an indoor, two-lane track, a 4,000-square-foot fitness centre and cardio studio with weight-training equipment, multi-purpose community rooms, meeting spaces and a youth centre.
The province, through the Department of Health and Wellness, committed $5-million toward the Queens Place Recreation Centre. The government of Canada is providing up to $6.5 million from the Major Infrastructure Component of the Building Canada Fund, and the Region of Queens Municipality contributed about $10.1-million.
Canada and Nova Scotia are working together to create jobs and boost the economy, while making significant investments that help communities improve infrastructure.