Prime Minister & Premier announce support for new BU Healthy Living Centre

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Prime Minister Stephen Harper, Premier Greg Selinger and several Bobcat athletes. BRANDON, MB – Prime Minister Stephen Harper visited Brandon University to announce the Government of Canada’s support for the Brandon University Healthy Living Centre. The project will expand and improve the current gymnasium built in 1965 at the Brandon University campus.

  The Centre will include full-scale gyms, an indoor walking track and facilities for fitness classes. The building will be certified LEED Silver, which means that it will be energy efficient and that its construction will be done using sustainable and recycled materials. Both the university community and local residents will be able to use the facility.

  “When the work is done, it will dramatically expand access to local recreational facilities for the whole community,” said the Prime Minister. “And it will nurture future generations of athletes who will build on Brandon’s reputation for athletic excellence.”

  The Province of Manitoba, the City of Brandon and Brandon University are also supporting the project. The Prime Minister was joined by Greg Selinger, Premier of Manitoba; Merv Tweed, Member of Parliament for Brandon–Souris; Dave Burgess, Mayor of Brandon; and Dr. Deborah Poff, President of Brandon University.

  “This new healthy-living centre will not only support Brandon University students, staff and athletic teams, but it will add more recreational options for residents from Brandon and the Westman area,” said Premier Selinger.

  If all Government of Canada program requirements under the Building Canada Fund are met, and a contribution agreement is signed, support for the estimated $18.8-million project is as follows:

  •      Up to $5.31 million from the Government of Canada

•      Up to $5.31 million from the Province of Manitoba

•      $6.3 million from Brandon University

•      $1.88 million from the City of Brandon

  “This announcement fulfils a long term hope for the Healthy Living Centre that will enhance Brandon University’s ability to recruit and retain students who will study, train and play sports at our institution,” said Dr. Poff. “As well, the University will be able to have world-class facilities that will meet the health and well-being needs of all our students, staff, faculty as well as the broader community of Brandon.”

  Over the next 3-4 months the University will be working on the business case for the Healthy Living Centre. The approximate timeline as the project moves forward is as follows:

  •      July 2010 – The Minister will approve the project and detailed design work and drawings will begin. Construction drawings, tender documents and the tendering process are completed during this time.

•      May 2011 – Construction starts on new portion of the building.

•      May 2012 –Renovations begin on the old building.

•      September 2012 –Planned completion & operation date

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