CANADA AND ALBERTA SUPPORT SPORTS HALL OF FAME IN CALGARY

May 21, 2009

Project will create jobs, boost local economy

Calgary, Alberta, May 21, 2009 – Canada’s Minister of the Environment, Jim Prentice, Alberta’s Minister of Culture and Community Spirit, Lindsay Blackett, and City of Calgary Mayor, David Bronconnier today announced that residents of Calgary will benefit from up to $30 million in joint federal-provincial-municipal investments to build the new Canada’s Sports Hall of Fame facility in Calgary.  

“Today, the Government of Canada joins Alberta and the City of Calgary in a joint investment for a key infrastructure project that will boost our economy and create jobs for Canadians,” said Minister Prentice. “Thanks to the strong partnership between our three levels of government, we are working together to ensure that Alberta’s economy remains strong and vibrant during these challenging economic times, while also creating a facility that will be enjoyed by many.”

“Our sporting past forms an important piece of our cultural identity – at the community level, as a province, and as a nation,” said Minister Blackett. “Alberta is proud to share in the telling of Canada’s sporting history and heritage by being home to Canada’s Sports Hall of Fame.”

“Calgary is proud of our tradition to celebrate and recognize excellence in sports and culture,” said Mayor Bronconnier. “Placing Canada’s Sports Hall of Fame into this setting builds upon our strong athletics foundation, creating a world class destination to honour great Canadian athletes whose achievements provide a shared national pride and inspire others in achieving their goals.” 

Under Canada’s Economic Action Plan and its Infrastructure Stimulus Fund, up to $15 million in federal funding will go towards the new Calgary home of Canada’s Sports Hall of Fame. The project is expected to have a significant economic impact in Calgary and help attract visitors to the city.

“Canada's Sports Hall of Fame is thrilled with the city of Calgary, the Province of Alberta and the Government of Canada for having the vision to provide the necessary financial support to build this dedicated Hall and Museum at Canada Olympic Park, in Calgary,” said Keith Pelley, Chairman, Canada's Sports Hall of Fame. “Canada deserves a distinguished place where we can celebrate and acknowledge our Canadian sport heroes and their amazing stories.”

The new federal $4-billion Infrastructure Stimulus Fund provides funding to provincial, territorial and municipal construction-ready infrastructure rehabilitation projects that will be built during this year’s and next year’s construction seasons.

Canada, Alberta and the City of Calgary are working together to create jobs and boost the economy, while making significant investments that help communities improve their infrastructure. All levels of government have agreed to work together to ensure that these funds are delivered quickly and efficiently to municipalities in Alberta.

The Government of Canada’s 2009 Economic Action Plan is accelerating and expanding the existing federal investment of $33 billion in infrastructure across Canada with almost $12 billion in new infrastructure stimulus funding over the next two years.

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