THUNDER BAY – The impact of the Marina Park development can be easily witnessed in the busier streets in the downtown Port Arthur area. The completion of the first phase of this waterfront development project involved the construction of a Water Garden Pavilion, an Art’s centre, a splash pad that transforms into a skating rink during winter months, and the unique “Spirit Garden” that will allow people to participate in recreational and cultural activities. Additional work to improve this waterfront attraction included the renewal and expansion of the trails, relocation of the breakwalls, and installation of electrical services, water systems and foundation piles for piers.
“Prince Arthur’s Landing is an important gathering place for the community and will remain a dynamic tourist destination for years to come,” said the Honourable Peter Van Loan, Leader of the Government in the House of Commons and Member of Parliament for York–Simcoe, on behalf of the Honourable Denis Lebel, Minister of Transport, Infrastructure and Communities. “Our government is proud to support community infrastructure projects that create jobs, stimulate the local economy and improve the quality of life of Thunder Bay families.”
“Infrastructure investments such as this one create jobs and opportunities for Ontario families,” said the Honourable Michael Gravelle, Minister of Natural Resources and Member of Provincial Parliament for Thunder Bay–Superior North. “The Ontario government is proud to contribute to this project that ensures our renewed waterfront will become an important new community hub in Thunder Bay.”
“This project was about building our community, and it has already had a very positive impact on our economy by creating hundreds of jobs, and employing dozens of local companies,” said Thunder Bay Mayor Keith Hobbs. “The sheer size and scope of this project is amongst the largest in our city’s history, and it represents an investment by all levels of government and the private sector of well over $100 million.”
The governments of Canada and Ontario contributed $14.65 million each toward eligible project costs through the Infrastructure Stimulus Fund. Through the Northern Ontario Development Program, the Government of Canada contributed an additional $2 million towards the design and contract administration, and $47,000 for an economic impact study and project business plan. The Province of Ontario, through the Northern Ontario Heritage Fund Corporation, contributed an additional $5 million towards infrastructure and public attractions to facilitate additional private sector investments and $100,000 towards an advanced energy study and LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) certification. The City of Thunder Bay has contributed the remaining balance of the total project cost of $58 million.
Investing in infrastructure is a key part of the Government of Canada’s plan for jobs, growth and long-term prosperity. Over the course of the summer, the Government of Canada is meeting with provinces, territories, municipalities through municipal associations and the Federation of Canadian Municipalities, as well as other key stakeholders in a series of roundtables to develop a new long-term infrastructure plan. This plan will focus on investments that support job creation and economic growth, while building strong, prosperous communities across the country. In addition, the Government of Canada will hold a roundtable with national stakeholders and private sector representatives at the end of the summer. Working together to develop this plan will provide new opportunities for all orders of government and the private sector to build partnerships to improve public infrastructure in Canada.
This project also supports Building Together, the Government of Ontario’s long-term infrastructure plan to repair, rebuild and renew the province’s roads and highways, bridges, public transit, schools and post secondary institutions, hospitals and courthouses. Through Building Together, Ontario plans to invest more than $35 billion over the next three years to create or preserve over 100,000 jobs on average each year. Infrastructure investments create high-quality employment, support economic growth and helps make Ontario’s economy more productive.