News Release

For immediate release
May 18, 2004

Government of Canada Funding Allows For BAYplex Upgrade

Glace Bay, N.S., - Government of Canada assistance for major renovations to the BAYplex was announced today by Rodger Cuzner, MP for Bras
d’Or – Cape Breton.

The Glace Bay Recreational Society has received funding to upgrade Glace Bay’s premiere recreational facility, the BAYplex. Renovations include an expansion of the banquet, kitchen, and catering service, construction of washrooms, and the addition of office, meeting room and storage space.

“Improved infrastructure for our communities is a priority for the Government of Canada,” said MP Rodger Cuzner. “The BAYplex has served Glace Bay and area well since it opened. Improving the facility will be a boost to the local economy since it will now be able to attract additional events to Glace Bay.”

“With the renovations in place, the BAYplex will offer better access for everyone, said Clarence Routledge, General Manager. “The proposed enhancements will allow the society to offer improved banquet facilities and services and to host additional special events and community functions. “

The total estimated cost to complete the project is $700,000. Enterprise Cape Breton Corporation (ECBC) will provide a non-repayable contribution of $500,000 through the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency’s Strategic Community Investment Fund (SCIF).

SCIF projects are designed to help local communities strengthen their economic base in order to attract investment and job creation.

The BAYplex was constructed and furnished in 1996 at a cost of approximately $5.5 million. It is a state-of-the-art building that is used by both residents and visitors. The 50,000 sq. ft. facility consists of a large ice surface, an indoor walking track, a community hall, an activity centre, restaurant and lounge and meeting rooms.

The Glace Bay Recreational Society, a non-profit organization, operates the BAYplex. It was established in 1996 and consists of a 13 member board of directors from Glace Bay and area. The BAYplex currently employs nine people.

The Strategic Community Investment Fund provides $135 million over five years to help communities in Atlantic Canada create an environment that encourages and enhances economic development.

Enterprise Cape Breton Corporation offers programs in support of economic development initiatives and is responsible for delivering ACOA's programs on Cape Breton Island and in the Mulgrave area.

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FOR BROADCAST USE ONLY:

AN INVESTMENT IN GLACE BAY’S PREMIER RECREATIONAL FACILITY, THE BAYPLEX WAS ANNOUNCED TODAY BY BRAS D’OR – CAPE BRETON MP RODGER CUZNER.

THE GLACE BAY RECREATIONAL SOCIETY HAS RECEIVED A $500,000
NON-REPAYABLE CONTRIBUTION THROUGH ECBC TO IMPROVE THE BAYPLEX. PLANS ARE TO EXPAND THE BANQUET, KITCHEN, AND CATERING SERVICES, AS WELL AS THE ADDITION OF OFFICE, MEETING ROOM AND STORAGE SPACE. THE TOTAL COST OF THIS PROJECT IS $700,000.

MP RODGER CUZNER SAYS THAT IMPROVING THE FACILITY WILL BE A BOOST TO THE LOCAL ECONOMY SINCE IT WILL NOW BE ABLE TO ATTRACT ADDITIONAL EVENTS TO GLACE BAY.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION, CONTACT:

Ralph Meechan
Office of the Minister of ACOA
Tel: (613) 941-7241

Office of Roger Cuzner, M.P.
Bras d’Or-Cape Breton
Tel: (902) 842-9763

Clarence Routledge, General Manager
BAYplex
Tel: (902) 849-6066

D.A. Landry
Enterprise Cape Breton Corporation
Tel: (902) 564 3617