Province commits funds to multiplex in Lorette

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This article was published 24/12/2015 (3828 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

The residents of Lorette got an early Christmas present this morning in the form of a letter from the provincial government outlining their commitment to funding for a new multi-use community complex.

Dawson Trail MLA Ron Lemieux presented RM of Tache Mayor Robert Rivard with a letter stating the province’s commitment to contributing 50 per cent of the project’s costs up to $8 million at the Lorette Community Complex on Christmas Eve.

“This is huge,” said Rivard. “As I said to Ron, there’s no way that we could move this forward on our own. With them [the province] committing to 50 per cent of it—that will give us the incentive to get going on our side with the fundraising and municipality dollars.”

The new facility will be more than just an arena, Rivard said. It will also include a library, daycare, gym, and more.

“It’ll be a great facility for everybody,” he said.

Residents in the area have been vocal about their want for a new recreational facility.

Rivard said when he was campaigning during the last municipal election in 2014, one of the main things residents in this community and the outlying area wanted was a new multiplex.

In 2002, a group of 40 individuals participated in a 36-hour hockey marathon, which raised money for a future recreation project. For 13 years, the some $82,000 raised at the event sat in limbo, waiting for a formal announcement—like this one— showing some sort of commitment to the project.

“Communities need recreation—it’s important to them,” said Rivard. “And it’s something they’re willing to spend money for.”

Though construction dates and designs are yet to be announced, the project is finally moving forward.

“Now I see this project moving forward probably in a year or so from now—it won’t be far in the future and the people can see there’s going to be something here,” Rivard said.