January 22, 2011

Pictured above: Lee Richardson, MP, Calgary Mayor Naheed Nenshi and Ken King, CEO of the Calgary Flames at the puck drop at the grand opening of the Flames Community Arena

The following are remarks given by Lee Richardson, Member of Parliament for Calgary Centre at the grand opening of the new Flames Community Arena located at 2390 47th Avenue SW, Calgary.
“Thanks.

Good afternoon everyone. It is a great pleasure to be here today on behalf of the Government of Canada and my colleague, the Honourable Lynne Yelich, Minister of State for Western Economic Diversification.

In December 2009, I had the pleasure of participating in the initial funding announcement for this exciting project and I’m delighted to return for today’s grand opening of the Flames Community Arena.

Our Government is proud to have supported this initiative with an investment of $1 million through the Recreational Infrastructure Canada program (Rinc).

Over a two-year period, we are investing $500 million to improve recreational infrastructure in communities across the country. 

This includes 718 projects right here in Western Canada.