Sep 2 2013
Work is underway to upgrade the Mission Leisure Centre, thanks to a contribution from the federal Gas Tax Fund. Improvements to the facility's mechanical and control systems are expected to reduce its greenhouse gas emissions by 30 per cent annually.
""Our Government is pleased to be contributing to the upgrade of this facility, which will result in a more energy efficient facility and a reduction of carbon dioxide,"" said Randy Kamp, Member of Parliament for Pitt Meadows—Maple Ridge—Mission. ""We are investing in infrastructure projects that are important to Canadians and that contribute to a healthier, more sustainable environment.""
Energy conservation upgrades will be made to pool air handling units, boilers, arena ice plants, dehumidification systems and many of the controls associated with them. Once completed, this project will help reduce the amount of carbon dioxide emitted into the atmosphere by almost 800 tonnes each year. Mission is using $809,388 from its federal Gas Tax Fund allocation towards this nearly $1.16-million project in addition to $152,200 of support from BC Hydro, and $197,000 in local revenues.
""The District of Mission is excited to be undertaking this project with the Gas Tax funding as it surpasses the target of a 10 per cent reduction in greenhouse gas emissions by the end of 2015 which is specified in the Official Community Plan,"" said Mission Mayor Ted Adlem. ""It also assists the District in meeting its BC Climate Action Charter commitments.""
""The use of innovative approaches and technology in infrastructure upgrades play a key role in minimizing our impact on the environment and meeting our collective goal of reducing greenhouse gas emissions,"" said Abbotsford—Mission MLA Simon Gibson. ""This project highlights how working together through the Gas Tax program, we're able to provide communities with the support needed to take these green projects from vision to realization.""
""The federal Gas Tax Fund is helping communities to make their operations more efficient,"" said Union of BC Municipalities President Mary Sjostrom. ""That's good for the environment, and helps contain the cost of operations.""
The federal Gas Tax Fund transfer provides long-term funding to municipalities across the country to build and revitalize their local infrastructure. The Government of Canada has invested over $10 billion to date in municipal infrastructure through this program, and passed legislation to make it a permanent transfer of $2 billion per year. As part of Economic Action Plan 2013, the Government committed to index the Gas Tax Fund to provide additional funding for communities, starting in 2014. Between 2006 and 2014, British Columbia will receive more than $1.56 billion from the Gas Tax Fund transfer to improve local infrastructure. The Union of British Columbia Municipalities (UBCM) administers the Gas Tax Fund in BC, in collaboration with Canada and British Columbia.
For additional information about federal investments in infrastructure visit Infrastructure Canada or follow us on Twitter at @INFC_eng.
For further information about Canada's Economic Action Plan, visit Canada's Economic Action Plan.