Ontario supporting $25 million infrastructure project
SAULT STE. MARIE – The Ontario government is investing over $18 million to support the construction of a $25 million twin-pad arena in Sault Ste. Marie.
The twin-pad arena will replace the existing single-pad arena at the McMeeken Arena, significantly increasing the square-footage and seating capacity inside the arena for the Sault Ste. Marie community.
The Ontario government is investing in this multi-purpose infrastructure project that will help to strengthen and protect communities, like Sault Ste. Marie, create jobs, and contribute to the province’s long-term economic recovery.
“In the face of COVID-19, the Ontario government continues to move forward with infrastructure projects to strengthen communities and create jobs,” said the Honourable Laurie Scott, Minister of Infrastructure. “Supporting meaningful projects like this one in Sault Ste. Marie will make a positive difference to the families who live in the community, while also protecting their health and well-being today, and for many years to come.”
“This is a significant investment into one of our community’s longest standing recreational facilities. I recall being a member of city council myself when a CO2 leak at the McMeeken Arena led to a health scare for many parents and families,” said the Honourable Ross Romano, Minister of Colleges and Universities and Member of Provincial Parliament (MPP) for Sault Ste. Marie. “It is encouraging that we will have multiple major infrastructure projects being built in Sault Ste. Marie over the next year. With a new $25 million twin-pad arena in the west end of the city and a new $18 million Indigenous Cultural Centre in the east end of the city, and even more exciting news on the way with the construction of our community-based addictions services centre offering residential withdrawal management services. I can’t wait to see all the shovels in the ground as we recover from COVID-19.”
“The twin-pad arena infrastructure project will address the significant current and projected future recreational demand in our community and will best position the city to ensure residents have access to the full potential of the Northern Community Centre site,” said His Worship Christian Provenzano, Mayor of Sault Ste. Marie. “Important infrastructure projects of this nature require collaboration with and support from different levels of government, and I want to recognize Sault Ste. Marie’s MPP Ross Romano and the Government of Ontario for its very significant contribution in support of this project.”
Healthy people are essential for a healthy economy. With vaccines being distributed, hope is on the horizon. Ontario’s Action Plan: Protecting People’s Health and Our Economy provides the resources necessary to finish the battle with COVID-19, building on the government’s record investments to protect health and jobs during the global pandemic.
Quick Facts
- In total, the twin-pad arena in Sault Ste. Marie will cost approximately $25 million.
- Over the next decade, we are investing over $145 billion in Ontario’s infrastructure, including strategic investments in transit and highways, schools and hospitals.
- Ontario is investing over $10.2 billion under the Investing in Canada Infrastructure Program (ICIP) to support public transit; community, culture and recreation; green; rural and northern and other priority infrastructure projects.
- Across the province and over the next 10 years, Ontario is investing approximately $320 million and Canada is investing approximately $407 million under the Community, Culture and Recreation infrastructure stream of the ICIP. This stream supports the construction of new facilities and upgrades to existing facilities that improve community infrastructure (community centres, libraries), recreational venues (arenas, recreational spaces) and cultural spaces (theatres, museums).
- Ontario’s Action Plan: Protecting People’s Health and Our Economy brings total investments to $16.3 billion to protect people’s health and $23.3 billion to protect our economy. Ontario’s COVID-19 action plan support now totals $51 billion.
SOURCE Province of Ontario
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