Another Major Step for Verdun Borough's Two-Building Aquatic Centre

(PL) - Verdun Borough Mayor Claude Trudel is proud to announce that another major step has been completed today in the two-building aquatic centre project. In fact, at the special Council meeting held this morning, the Council members approved a resolution to submit an application for financial assistance to carry out this project.

The conclusive preliminary studies are now making it possible for the Borough to start taking steps with the Québec government's Ministère du Développement durable, de l’Environnement et des Parcs to obtain financial assistance within the Fonds Chantiers Canada-Québec program. This program helps carry out eligible projects to rehabilitate, renovate, expand and replace or build eligible infrastructures. Additional requests for financial support may also be made within other various programs.

"As I mentioned last August when this project was first announced, Borough Council members and myself are pleased to be fulfilling another of our commitments to improve the quality of life of our residents in Verdun's three neighbourhoods," Mayor Trudel pointed out once again.

This decision was a follow-up to the recommendations of the master plan on cultural, sports and recreational activities developed in 2005 and which called attention to Verdun's lack of indoor pools on its territory as well as to the great demand for these facilities in each of the neighbourhoods. At the time, this Council opted to give priority to this type of facilities.

The aquatic centre project, evaluated at $25,650,000, consists of two buildings. The first building, for a maximum of 400 people, will be located near Arthur-Therrien park, along the river, and will include, in particular, the construction of two pools—one being a recreational wading pool with a pool deck and water play facilities. Pool users will be able to enjoy the site and the view on the water, thanks to the large windows that will be installed there.

The second building, for a maximum of slightly more than 350 swimmers, will involve converting and covering the outdoor pool and the wading pool located at Centre communautaire Elgar in the L’Île-des-Sœurs neighbourhood. The present wading pool will be modified and enlarged, and the reception areas and lockers will be adapted for year-round use.

Council also made a point of meeting the LEED Silver requirements for this project.