Tache Community Centre funding announced

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This article was published 29/01/2023 (1160 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Monday was a day of celebration and a long time coming for Lorette residents who will get a new community centre.

Planned to be built on the southeast side of the current arena, the $11 million facility will include 62,000 sq. ft. for the arena and spectator area and 8,000 square feet for the Tache Library.

Funding for the facility will include $4.4 million from the federal government’s Investing in Canada Infrastructure Program (ICIP), $3.67 million from the provincial government and $2.9 million from the RM of Tache.

Dignitaries gathered at centre ice in Lorette’s arena to make the announcement, taking the time to drop a ceremonial puck in celebration.

Premier Heather Stefanson was on hand for the announcement, one she said is the type of partnership her government supports.

“We recognize how important recreational facilities are for the health and wellbeing of our local communities and economy and of course the children.”

“This is why we’re here,” she said indicating youth skating on the open half of the ice behind dignitaries. “It’s all about the children.”

Talks for a new facility began almost two decades ago, as the arena, built in 1964 began to show its age. Facelifts and flooded basements prompted renovations throughout the year, with the dressing rooms at one time taking up space in trailers on the parking lot.

Plans for provincial funding were announced by the NDP in 2016, who lost the subsequent election. Tache residents were then told by the PC government that while they weren’t prepared to honour the NDP election promise, they would work with other levels of government.

Dawson Trail MLA Bob Lagasse couldn’t resist referring to the previous promise.

“After many years and many promises from other politicians I’m proud to say that it’s our PC government that is getting this project done,” he said.

RM of Tache Mayor Armand Poirier also shared his excitement, beginning his remarks by reading a statement from MP Dan Vandal.

“By investing in the infrastructure that keeps our communities running, our federal government is working to improve the lives of Canadians,” he quoted.

Poirier said the project has been in the works for many years, but Tache council was under no illusion as to whether they could do it themselves.

“It was always understood that it was an important project, but one that could not be accomplished without the help of federal and provincial governments,” he said. “Thank you for buying into our dream.”

He also thanked the community stakeholders who have driven this project forward.

“Our dream has survived because of your belief in our community,” he said.

Association of Manitoba Bilingual Municipalities CEO Justin Johnson also spoke of his delight with the project. Born and raised in Lorette, it’s a place he still calls home.

He said projects like this are important for francophone and bilingual communities.

“The impact on the resilience, vitality and development of these communities will be direct because this type of infrastructure helps normalize life and socialization in both official languages here in Manitoba,” he said.

Library board member Yvonne Romaniuk spoke about the challenges the library has gone through. Established in 2005, they shared space with Seine River School Division. While she said it was a successful partnership, it did pose challenges such as the inability to serve their members during school days .

Fellow board member Michelle de Rocquigny said years of fundraising and hard work is paying off.

“It is time to move forward,” she said. “This arena and library complex will be a hub for a community gathering place to share sports and activities, indoors and outdoors, and library services.”

“It will certainly be an awesome facility to provide so many services for so many people for so many years to come.”

Work is expected to begin this spring.

– with files from Wes Keating