For Immediate Release
August 31, 2007

MCGUINTY GOVERNMENT INVESTS IN NORTHERN ONTARIO

New Nordic Centre Means Recreational, Tourism Boost For Timmins

TIMMINS - The McGuinty government is investing in a new Nordic Centre in the City of Timmins, David Ramsay, MPP for Timiskaming-Cochrane, announced today on behalf of Leona Dombrowsky, Minister of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs.

"A new Nordic Centre will be an economic and recreational asset for the City of Timmins," said Ramsay. "The complex will generate tourism dollars and will be a centre for year-round recreational activities for the whole community."

The province will contribute $95,857 to the Porcupine Ski Runners Inc. and its partner, the City of Timmins, for the development of the Centre. The facility will replace a deteriorating building and will be the new home of the Porcupine Ski Runners Cross Country Ski and Snowshoe Club. It will also have facilities to hold regional, provincial and national Nordic competitions and will host community recreational and sports groups.

"This funding is a major contribution toward the building of a Nordic Centre," said Gerry McNair, chair of the Timmins Nordic Centre Project. "The new facility will be enjoyed by school groups and community organizations as well as the members of the Porcupine Ski Runners Cross Country Ski and Snowshoe Club."

"I would like to thank the Ontario government for this investment in our new Nordic Centre," said Tom Laughren, mayor of the City of Timmins. "The residents of Timmins will experience the tourism, health and recreational benefits that come with this new facility."

This is just one more example of how, working together, Ontarians have achieved results in northern Ontario. Other examples include:

Today's investment was made through the Rural Economic Development (RED) Program, which invests in community-based projects that support sustainable rural economies in three priority areas: improved access to health care services, revitalized communities and downtowns, and enhanced skills training.

Through the RED Program, the province has invested $45.1 million in 139 projects, representing a total investment of $477.4 million in rural Ontario, since 2003. The Ontario government and its partners are building strong rural communities that work better for the people who live in them.

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Contacts:
Kelly Synnott
Minister's Office
416-326-6439

Brent Ross
Communications Branch
416-326-9342