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The Honourable Gail Shea, Minister of National Revenue, on behalf of the Honourable Bernard Valcourt, Associate Minister of National Defence and Minister of State (Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency) (La Francophonie), the Honourable Ron MacKinley, PEI Minister of Fisheries, Aquaculture and Rural Development, and Mr. David Cooper, President of the Belfast Recreation Centre, today announced project details for upgrades and improvements to existing community facilities.

“Our Government, through the Community Infrastructure Improvement Fund, is continuing to support communities across Canada,” said Minister Shea. “By improving our community facilities and various infrastructure projects, we are helping to boost economic activity and maintain a high quality of life for Canadians.”

The Government of Canada is investing over $117,895 from the Community Infrastructure Improvement Fund. The Government of Prince Edward Island is investing over $75,738 into these projects.

“The Government of Prince Edward Island is pleased to support these projects through the Island Community Fund,” said Minister MacKinley. “Improving community facilities will help revitalize communities across the province and create new social and economic opportunities for residents.”

The Government of Canada and Prince Edward Island’s combined investment will support the upgrading of the following well-known community recreation facilities.

• The Belfast Recreation Centre will receive $60,345 from the Government of Canada and $44,300 from the Government of Prince Edward Island to make needed enhancements to the combined arena and community centre.

• The Village of Murray Harbour will receive $32,250 from the Government of Canada and $20,000 from the Government of Prince Edward Island to make upgrades to its local community centre. This will include the installation of a new wheelchair ramp and an accessible washroom.

• The Cherry Valley and Earnscliffe Women’s Institute will receive $22,300 from the Government of Canada and $11,438 from the Government of Prince Edward Island to make interior and exterior upgrades at the Cherrycliffe Community Centre which will benefit both communities of Cherry Valley and Earnscliffe. This includes the installation of wheelchair ramps and upgrades to the kitchen and bathrooms.

“We are very grateful for the funding provided to us from the federal and provincial governments,” said Mr. Cooper. “This funding gave us the opportunity to make necessary upgrades to our arena and community centre. These upgrades will help keep the doors of our arena open which is very important because it’s the meeting place in our community.”

In Economic Action Plan 2012, the Harper Government announced plans to further modernize Canada’s infrastructure by committing $150 million over two years for the Community Infrastructure Improvement Fund. The Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency is delivering the Community Infrastructure Improvement Fund in Atlantic Canada with an allocation of $16.6 million over two years and this includes $2.5 million in Prince Edward Island.

The Prince Edward Island Government is delivering funds to eligible projects through the Island Community Fund, a multi-year funding commitment to address infrastructure needs in communities across the province.