$15 M for a new pool in Ahuntsic-Cartierville

Montreal city administrators confirmed at a press conference Wednesday that they will kick in $2.9 million, while the Greater Montreal YMCA will throw in $4.65 million of their own and administer the project.

The new athletic complex is slated for a vacant lot at the corner of Laurentien Boulevard and Louisbourg Street. In total, the planned area will be a huge 65,000 square feet, and will contain a six-lane 25-metre pool, a wading pool, a double gym with an elevated running track, a weight room, a day care and several multipurpose rooms.

"It's a great day for Ahuntsic-Cartierville. Our citizens were waiting for the project to be set in stone for the last 13 years. We stuck to our promises of making the effort necessary to make sure the new athletic complex saw the light of day. We would like to thank the city of Montreal at the Greater Montreal YMCA for their financial support, and for showing great faith in the project. The proof is there in front of us that we can work together, and when we do so, we can accomplish big things," said borough mayor Marie-Andree Beaudoin.

From a provincial standpoint, the Education, Sport and Leisure Ministry kicked in an additional $7.44 million through its new Programme de soutien aux installations sportives et récréatives program, mandated to help Quebecers maintain a healthier quality of life by increasing access to training facilities for athletes of all ages.

The borough will absorb the costs of the land – about $3 million. In total, the costs come to just under $15 million.

"Helping residents maintain a healthier quality of life through physical activity is a priority for the government of Quebec. Today, I am happy to announce that the population of Ahuntsic-Cartierville will soon benefit from the athletic infrastructure that is clearly needed and will come thanks to mobilization of all our partners," said Education, Sports and Leisure Minister Michelle Courchesne.

Greater Montreal YMCA official Stéphane Vaillancourt agreed.

"For us, the new athletic complex is great, because it will be the first YMCA that wil have been built in 20 years. We are very proud to participate in the construction and birth of this complex and to help contribute to life in the neighbourhood," he said.

(Photo: Jacques Pharand)