The project involves renovating and expanding the arena in order to increase the building’s capacity from 600 seats to 1,500 seats and provide viable premises that meet modern standards and are better adapted to the needs of users. The work includes demolishing the interior rooms and external envelope of the building, enlarging the basement level for player changing rooms and building a new structure with mezzanine for the installation of additional seating.
Salaberry Arena is the only rink in the region that operates year round. In the summer months, the facility is used for courses and practice time for many teams in the region. Moreover, as Salaberry-de-Valleyfield will be hosting the Jeux d’hiver du Québec—the Quebec Winter Games—in 2011, the arena, located in the heart of the city, will be the main hub of many of the events and activities.
Completion of this project will necessitate an overall eligible investment of $9,690,000. The governments of Quebec and Canada will each contribute $3,230,000 toward the work, while Centres sportifs Salaberry-de-Valleyfield will assume the remaining third, or $3,230,000 of the project’s costs.
The Communities Component of the Building Canada Fund – Quebec is a cost-sharing initiative aimed at funding infrastructure projects in communities with fewer than 100,000 inhabitants. These communities are thus able to use this assistance to improve infrastructure that is in major need of revitalization, including water treatment plants, water supply systems and cultural and sports centers.
