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$170,000 FOR UPDATES                                             Journalist: Myriam Sainson

On Wednesday, April 11, 2012, at the Robert Fournier Arena (East Angus), a conference press was called by Deputy Johanne Gonthier (Mégantic-Compton), on behalf of Line Beauchamp - Vice-Premier & Minister of Education, Leisure and Sports. Special invited guests included East Angus Mayor Robert G. Roy, Dany Langlois - City Councilor and person responsible for the Arena, Norman Graillon - DG. of the Municipality of East Angus, David Fournier - Director of Leisure and Mayor Celine Gagné (Lingwick) - (see photo 1).

$83,090.72 was presented to the Town of East Angus to "update the safety requirements of the Robert Fournier Arena" and $2,631 to the Municipality of Lingwick to repair the surface of the outdoor skating rink and replace the lights in order to comply with the policy of respect for the "réserve de ciel noir" (Dark Sky Reserve), near Mount-Mégantic. This funding corresponds to 50% of the initial respective investment.

These two projects were accepted within the framework of the "Programme de soutien aux installations sportives et récréatives- phase II du Fonds pour le développement du sport et de l'activité physique" which has just been renewed (2013), with a flexible budget between $30M and $50M.

These choices relate to the promotion of "quality installations to help our smaller communities '', affirms Deputy Johanne Gonthier who continues by saying: "I am delighted to make this announcement which meets an important need, recognized by the residents of East-Angus and the Canton de Lingwick. We want to encourage them to move forward and keep in shape. This project is without any doubt an excellent way of contributing to this goal".

With regards to the Robert Fournier Arena project, it is a question of changing gases in the refrigeration system, making a preliminary study on this subject; installing a safety exit life-line on the roof; leveling the timing chart and changing the wiring for the sound system. A future enlargement of the arena is to be considered with the installation of a multi-purpose room as well as a "conceptual and preparatory study of mechanical and electrical standards in the building".

These other projects will be the subject of a future request for financial assistance, under the same program – application must be made by the end of May or the beginning of June 2012. According to Mayor Roy, it is important to ensure the safeguarding and the maintenance of the sporting infrastructures in East Angus such as those at the Robert Fournier Arena which accommodates many young people (Minor Hockey Association of Haut-Saint-François, Minor Lacrosse Association, soccer, the figure-skating Club, and the students of Polyvalent Louis-Saint Laurent) and in doing so, all must respect the capacity of the population to pay for such services.

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Photo 1: The participating elected officials

Photo 2: Deputy Johanne Gonthier, Mayor Robert G. Roy and Dany Langlois (City Councilor)

Photo credits: Myriam Sainson