The Town of Montreal West is announcing $2 million in financial assistance granted by the Federation of Canadian Municipalities (FCM) to support the construction of its new Sports and Recreation Centre. This grant significantly contributes to the funding of the $39.2 million project.
“We are grateful for the support of the FCM and the Government of Canada. We share the same vision on environmental issues and together advocate for the resilience of the new sports and recreation centre in the face of climate change. The construction of the new Centre has been a long time in the making and will continue to serve as the cornerstone of our community. With climate change resilience and universal accessibility at the forefront of its modern design, this new centre will serve current and future generations,” said Beny Masella, Mayor of Montreal West.
The investment from the Federation of Canadian Municipalities’ Green Municipal Fund, with the support of the Government of Canada, will help enable the use of sustainable building materials, a high-performing building envelope, innovative energy systems that will reduce energy costs, and rain water management to increase the facility’s resilience to the impacts of climate change.
“Community sports and recreational facilities enrich the lives of residents, providing safe and inclusive spaces to gather, learn, play and grow. However, these facilities are also costly to build and operate. FCM’s Green Municipal Fund is proud to support the Montreal West facility while helping ensure it is energy efficient to help reduce operational costs and reduce the greenhouse gas emissions. By incorporating sustainable solutions into the building from the planning phase, Montreal West is showing a commitment to the well-being of its residents now and in the future,” said Rebecca Bligh, President of the Federation of Canadian Municipalities.
“Our government is committed to supporting municipalities in their adaptation to climate change by investing in projects that make our infrastructure more sustainable and our communities more resilient. This new sports and recreational facility will not only serve families and residents in this neighbourhood, but it will also help reduce greenhouse gas emissions and energy costs. With the Green Municipal Fund, we are building more sustainable communities across the country for generations to come,” said the Honourable Steven Guilbeault, Minister of Environment and Climate Change.
About the new Sports and Recreation Centre of the Town of Montreal West
The new Sports and Recreation Centre will be a true hub for Montreal West, bringing together various recreational and sports services. Some of its facilities include an ice rink, an outdoor pool, multipurpose rooms, a community kitchen, and a small gymnasium. The centre is scheduled to open in 2025. The Town is committed to a project that is sustainable, respectful of the environment and that is resilient to climate change. Universal accessibility is also a priority, ensuring that all citizens, regardless of age or ability, can enjoy the facilities.
About FCM’s Green Municipal Fund
FCM’s Green Municipal Fund (GMF) is a globally unique organization providing funding and education to municipalities to help them both reach net-zero and build resilient communities, while also delivering economic and social benefits such as jobs, housing and infrastructure. Since inception in 2000, it has helped reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 2.87 million tonnes, funded nearly 13,000 person-years of employment, enabled nearly 30,000 sustainable affordable housing units, and contributed $1.2 billion to the national GDP via the more than 2,100 approved projects. GMF manages approximately $2.4 billion in programs funded by the Government of Canada.