WINDSOR,
NS, May 17, 2024 /CNW/ - The Hants County
Exhibition Arena is becoming more accessible after a combined
investment of $1.1 million from the
federal and provincial governments and the West Hants Regional
Municipality.
This was announced by MP Kody
Blois, MLA Melissa Sheehy-Richard, Deputy Mayor Paul Morton, and Joel
Rafuse, President of the Windsor Agricultural Society.
The arena, built in 1981, is the proud home of the Hants County
Exhibition, the oldest agricultural fair in North America. With the construction of a new
sports complex in the community, the arena no longer needs to also
operate as a rink. Because of this, the Windsor Agricultural
Society is transforming it into a vibrant community space that will
continue to host the annual exhibition.
These upgrades are a part of the transformation and include new
energy-efficient washrooms in the former hockey dressing rooms, a
more accessible lobby, and more natural light with the addition of
windows, resulting in reduced energy use during the day. The
brighter and expanded main lobby will also provide a space to
celebrate the rich heritage and history of the Hants County
Exhibition with displays and memorabilia.
The space will be used for programs, such as skill development
and recreational opportunities for youth.
Quotes
"The retrofit of the Hants County Exhibition Arena into an
accessible space will be a wonderful project for the communities of
West Hants. I want to congratulate the Windsor Agricultural Society
for ensuring that the retrofitted arena will include an area to
recognize and celebrate over 200 years of Hants County Exhibition
history. This investment by the Government of Canada will help support the Hants County
Exhibition Arena in continuing the tradition of hosting the oldest
agricultural fair in North America
for many more years to come."
Kody Blois, Member of
Parliament for Kings–Hants on behalf of the Honourable Sean Fraser,
Minister of Housing, Infrastructure and Communities
"Every community throughout our beautiful province has places
that enrich their history. Since 1949, the Windsor Agricultural
Society has operated the Hants County Exhibition, which is
North America's Oldest
Agricultural Fair, along with many other events throughout the
year. They also maintain the park grounds, which includes the arena
building. The provincial government is committed to preserving and
enhancing infrastructure that is important to communities. This
investment ensures the arena continues to support the annual
agricultural exhibition and other events, while improving the
accessibility and inclusiveness of this community space."
Melissa Sheehy-Richard, Member
of the Legislative Assembly for Hants
West, on behalf of Allan
MacMaster, Minister of Communities, Culture, Tourism and
Heritage
"The Council of the Region of West Hants is proud to support the
INSPIRING work of the Windsor Agricultural Society. Investments
into the Exhibition Arena will ensure a world-class space for all
to enjoy that is accessible, vibrant, welcoming, and energy
efficient. There is a reason why the oldest agricultural fair in
North America takes place every
year in Windsor, NS."
His Worship Abraham Zebian, Mayor of the West Hants Regional
Municipality
"The Windsor Agricultural Society is grateful for the
support of our federal, provincial and municipal partners,
recognizing the need for improvements to our well-used community
facility. The upgrades will greatly improve the user experience at
the Hants Exhibition Arena."
Joel Rafuse, President of the
Windsor Agricultural Society
Quick Facts
- The federal government is investing $850,000 in this project through the Green and
Inclusive Community Buildings (GICB) program. The Government
of Nova Scotia is contributing
$200,000 and the West Hants Regional
Municipality is contributing $50,000.
- The GICB program was created in support of Canada's Strengthened Climate Plan: A Healthy
Environment and a Healthy Economy. It is supporting the Plan's
first pillar by reducing greenhouse gas emissions, increasing
energy efficiency, and helping develop higher resilience to climate
change.
- The program is providing $1.5
billion over five years towards green and accessible
retrofits, repairs or upgrades.
- At least 10% of funding is allocated to projects serving First
Nations, Inuit, and Métis communities, including Indigenous
populations in urban centres.
- The application period for the Green and Inclusive Community
Buildings Program is now closed.
- The funding announced today builds on the federal government's
work through the Atlantic Growth Strategy to create well-paying
middle-class jobs, strengthen local economies, and build inclusive
communities.
Associated Links
Green and Inclusive Community Buildings
https://www.infrastructure.gc.ca/gicb-bcvi/index-eng.html
Strengthened Climate Plan
https://www.canada.ca/en/services/environment/weather/climatechange/climate-plan/climate-plan-overview.html
Federal infrastructure investments in Nova Scotia
https://www.infrastructure.gc.ca/plan/prog-proj-ns-eng.html
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SOURCE Infrastructure Canada