$7 million secured for the North Cariboo Arena Replacement Project

Joint Release of the Cariboo Regional District/City of Quesnel:

The North Cariboo Joint Planning Committee is pleased to announce that the Province, Northern Development Initiative Trust and West Fraser have re‐confirmed their commitment to the North Cariboo Arena Replacement Project totalling $7 million.

The Province has confirmed that it will extend their Community Recreation Program Grant for the project completion in the amount of $4 million. This confirmation was received in a letter to the Joint Planning Committee from the Minister of Community, Sport and Cultural Development Coralee Oakes, and received on March 25, 2014.

“I am proud to support the North Cariboo Arena Project and this $4 million grant extension by our government re‐affirms our commitment to help the project become a reality as the community hub right in the heart of Quesnel,” said Cariboo North MLA Coralee Oakes. “In addition, by moving forward with the project new jobs for skilled‐workers and labourers will be created

during and post construction helping grow our economy.”

The $2 million grant received from Northern Development Initiative Trust in 2011 for the North Cariboo Multi‐Centre project is secured. At a recent meeting of their board, the Trust agreed that the funding approval for that project, which lapsed after the referendum last fall, be extended subject to confirmation of other funding sources and the project starting construction by June, 2015. As such, the $2 million will remain available for the renamed project, the North Cariboo Arena Replacement Project, subject to the terms stated above.

“Northern Development is proud to continue to support the North Cariboo Arena Replacement project with a $2 million grant extension,” said Northern Development Initiative Trust Chair Evan Saugstad. “The Arena project will provide a boost to the economy in Quesnel and create an asset that will make the North Cariboo a more attractive place to live.”

West Fraser has committed up to $1 million. To encourage community participation, $500,000 of that funding is earmarked to match community contributions to the Arena Replacement Project.

"Our business started as a humble planing mill here almost 60 years ago,” said Ray Ferris, Vice‐President of Wood Products, West Fraser. “On behalf of all of our employees and their families that have made Quesnel their home, we are delighted to contribute to our community’s spirit and improve these needed recreation facilities. We are pleased to support a healthy, vibrant, and sustainable Quesnel through the Arena Project."

“We would like to thank our funding partners for their continued support of our North Cariboo communities,” stated CRD Vice‐Chair Ted Armstrong. “Your generosity and financial support of this project is a testament of dedication to the north Cariboo and its residents.”

“We are extremely grateful for our partnership with the Province, Northern Development Initiative Trust and West Fraser and that they have all agreed to keep their dollars in Quesnel in support of a much needed project, the Arena Replacement Project,” says Mayor Mary Sjostrom. “These funds are critical to the project and we thank them for their strong commitment and continued support.”