City of Saint John will benefit from an outdoor skating rink to bring people back to public spaces safely

Pictured from left to right: Saint John-Rothesay MP Wayne Long, Saint John mayor Donna Reardon, Deputy mayor John MacKenzie, Councillor Gerry Lowe.

On behalf of the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency (ACOA)

Canadian cities and towns flourish when they have community public spaces to promote social interaction and physical activity, and provide access to recreational programs and facilities. These amenities are integral to the overall well-being of individuals, families and communities. Our economic recovery is closely linked to the vitality of our local communities and their shared spaces.

Today, Wayne Long, Member of Parliament for Saint John – Rothesay, announced an investment of $300,000 through the Canada Community Revitalization Fund (CCRF) for the City of Saint John. The announcement was made on behalf of the Honourable Ginette Petitpas Taylor, Minister of Official Languages and Minister responsible for ACOA.

This support will allow the City of Saint John to build an outdoor skating rink in the city’s uptown core. This new facility will be free of charge and will help promote physical activity for people of all ages and abilities. 

The CCRF was launched in June 2021. The fund provides $500 million over two years to Canada’s regional development agencies (RDAs) to invest in shared and inclusive public spaces. The Government of Canada is committed to investing in shared spaces to make them safer, greener and more accessible. This will help stimulate local economies, create jobs, and improve the quality of life for Canadians.

Quotes

“Strong, vibrant communities in New Brunswick are a critical part of a robust and inclusive economic recovery. Investing in shared public spaces like this outdoor skating rink in Saint John helps revitalize local economies, boosts tourism and gives residents a place to come together safely.”

• The Honourable Ginette Petitpas Taylor, Minister of Official Languages and Minister responsible for ACOA

“The Government of Canada, through ACOA, is committed to working closely with communities to support projects that contribute to the quality of life of the families who live there. We believe that investing in these community projects are key to creating new opportunities and strengthening regional economies.”

• Wayne Long, Member of Parliament for Saint John – Rothesay

“As Saint John continues to grow and move forward, the development of what is becoming one of the most iconic public spaces in the City’s history is getting another boost today. We are grateful to ACOA for recognizing the importance of this public skating rink as a place for the community to come together and enjoy outdoor activities in the heart of the city. The look, feel and energy of our waterfront is transforming in a remarkable way, and it’s drawing a lot of positive interest and attention from residents, visitors, businesses, and developers. There is truly nothing else like it in New Brunswick.”

-   Donna Reardon, Mayor of the City of Saint John

Quick facts

• The construction of the City of Saint John’s outdoor skating rink is part of the Fundy Quay Development and waterfront redesign project. This will include a of a mix of retail, residential, and commercial space, in addition to a new seawall, several interactive and accessible public spaces, and an extension of Harbour Passage.
• The city is redesigning the Market Slip area as part of the project, where the skating rink will be located. Construction on the public space began in October 2022 and is anticipated to be completed by the end of 2023.
• The Canada Community Revitalization Fund supports two major streams of activity:
  • adapting community spaces and assets so that they may be used safely in accordance with local public health guidelines,
  • building or improving community spaces to encourage Canadians to re-engage in, and explore their communities and regions.
• Application intake for the Canada Community Revitalization Fund is now closed. If you have a pending application, please contact your account manager for more information.
• Canada’s regional development agencies are continuing to deliver targeted support for economic recovery. Application intake is open through the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency (ACOA) for the Jobs and Growth Fund, the Aerospace Regional Recovery Initiative, and the Tourism Relief Fund.

Associated links

• Canada Community Revitalization Fund in Atlantic Canada
• City of Saint John