By presenting a revised project now valued at $38.5 million, the City of Rimouski believes it meets the conditions to obtain the government support necessary for the construction of its future multi-sports complex or stadium desired from 2026 with a probable opening in 2028.
This is the scenario mentioned Tuesday by the mayor of Rimouski, Guy Caron and the director of the Leisure, Culture and Community Life Department, Karine Desrosiers following the submission, in December, of the funding request to the Quebec financial assistance program for recreational, sports and outdoor infrastructures (PAFIRSPA).
Revised following a first refusal, the multi-sports stadium now includes three floors, a projected area of more than 12,000 square meters, an indoor soccer surface that can be divided into three smaller fields, a running and walking track, 14 locker rooms, stands that can accommodate 250 spectators, administrative offices as well as rooms multipurpose and meeting.
In addition to the Le Fury Soccer Club, the stadium will also be used for baseball, football, rugby, athletics and ultimate frisbee. The new project does not, however, include a gymnastics palaestra to accommodate the activities of the Rikigym club.
The City wishes to build the future multisport stadium north of the athletics track, inside the Guillaume-Leblanc sports complex. (Courtesy photo)
“The presentation that was made is the one that we judged to be the most optimal for obtaining positive results. We could have had a much more expensive and expensive project with many more components. The program will be in high demand in the coming years by the various cities and municipalities of Quebec. The project will be built with the possibility of expansion to accommodate other possible projects,” indicates Mr. Caron.
Optimal presentation
If it has already reserved $21.5 million for the project, the City hopes to receive $9.5 million from Quebec by next June.
The deputy minister of Rimouski, Maïté Blanchette Vézina and the minister responsible for Sport, Leisure and Outdoors, Isabelle Charest, have already been informed of the file so that it becomes a priority of the Legault government.
Rimouski would also look for private partners in the institutional and business community to cover the rest of the bill. If UQAR, Cégep and the Phares School Service Center support the construction of the multi-sports stadium, the three educational institutions still do not intend to put their hands in their pockets to participate in its financing.
The mayor of Rimouski, Guy Caron and the director of the Leisure, Culture and Community Life Department, Karine Desrosiers. (Photo journallesoir.ca – Olivier Therriault)
“The feedback we are currently hearing is positive. We remain optimistic of obtaining funding. The answer lies with the government of Quebec. If we don’t have it by June, we will have to re-evaluate our strategy in relation to PAFIRSPA. It will have an impact on the tax bill as with all major infrastructure projects. The City sees it as an investment,” explains Guy Caron.
New access route
Rimouski is still planning the construction of the building within the Guillaume-Leblanc Sports Complex, on the land located between the senior baseball stadium and the athletics track.
The City also plans to build a new access road from Arthur-Buies Boulevard, between the dog park and the athletics track, in order to provide easier access to its parking lot. It would thus relocate the current skateboard park.
2024-01-16 17:21:45
#Rimouski #multisports #stadium #million #project
