News Release

SHIPPAGAN (CNB) – A new multifunctional centre will be built for residents of the Shippagan area thanks to $3.1 million of investment from the federal, provincial and municipal governments.

Premier David Alward; National Revenue Minister Keith Ashfield, who is also minister of the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency (ACOA) and minister for the Atlantic Gateway; and Shippagan Mayor Jonathan Roch Noël, participated in an announcement for the centre today.

"Our additional investment demonstrates the importance of investing in all corners of our province, including the Acadian Peninsula and northern New Brunswick," said Alward. "This new multifunctional centre will be used to serve Shippagan and the entire area."

The centre will be built on grounds next to the New Brunswick Aquarium and Marine Centre, close to the Université de Moncton, Shippagan campus.

"Our government's investment through ACOA's Innovative Communities Fund, will help the Town of Shippagan build a new multifunctional facility while contributing to the local economic activity, supporting and creating jobs and ensuring residents continue to have access to valuable community infrastructure," said Ashfield.

The centre’s main theatre hall will seat up to 450 people and will include a wall panel system that allows it to be subdivided into smaller meeting rooms. The hall will have wireless multimedia equipment, including wireless projectors. This versatility means the centre could be used for business meetings, cultural and tourism events and a variety of other community activities.

 "Since the Town of Shippagan adopted its strategic and community planning in 2007, we have experienced continuous positive development," said Noël. "The confirmation of an important financial contribution from both the federal and the provincial governments to build a community multifunctional centre in Shippagan demonstrates their keen interest in the development of rural communities in the province of New Brunswick. This multifunctional centre will allow us to fill a need for the community of Shippagan and will help to enhance the local economy and ensure community development in our beautiful region."

The federal government, through ACOA, is contributing $1,357,575 to the project under the Innovative Communities Fund. The provincial government is investing an additional $200,000 to bring its total contribution to $900,000, and the Town of Shippagan is contributing $848,952.