GOVERNMENT SINKS FUNDING REQUEST FOR AQUATIC CENTRE

As far back as the summer of 2015, I asked if future projects of the Régie des équipements en loisirs de L’Île-Perrot (RELIP) would sink or swim. Now, as citizens swelter under this summer’s extraordinary heat and humidity, local residents and the community will be disappointed that an important project for a planned aquatic centre will not happen. The pool project, whereby members of RELIP would have shared initial and ongoing costs with support by government funding, will not go forward, at least for now. A statement to that effect was posted at the town of Notre-Dame-de-l’Île-Perrot’s website, declaring that “disappointment reigns at the RELIP, having recently received notice of refusal for a grant for the project to build a recreational and aquatic complex. This is a decision of the provincial government that surprises the elected officials sitting at the RELIP,” according to Danie Deschênes, Notre-Dame’s mayor. “One thing is certain, we had done our homework. A previous refusal for a grant was motivated by a late filing of our application. This time, we made sure to be the first in line with the application, and we were confirmed to be the only ones in Vaudreuil-Soulanges to have submitted a project, but it now seems that our project was not to the satisfaction of the ministry,” she added. Île-Perrot Mayor Pierre Séguin stated that “there are 231 projects across the province that will receive a financial contribution from the $158 million granted this year, so we very much hope that next time, it will be our turn. We will continue to work to make this project happen and that all citizens benefit from this complex.” Remember that this sports facility is strategic for the wellbeing and health of the region. “Focusing on the health of the population should be a priority for all levels of government,” Deschênes said. “That said, we have every intention of pushing this project forward with the community. The strategy of elected officials has always been to build this infrastructure without imposing a heavy tax burden on taxpayers,” she added. Residents who were hopeful for a new pool and sports facility and who were in support of the project will now ask why the provincial government has left town members of RELIP, namely Notre-Dame-de-L’ÎLe Perrot and Île-Perrot to tread water. This resident asks why exactly the government has peed in the proverbial swimming pool before ground could be broken for the construction of a recreational and aquatic complex that would indeed serve the communities well. The project has been discussed since 2012 and the inception of the RELIP. Initially, four towns were involved. However, both Pincourt, in 2015, and TerrasseVaudreuil, in 2014, pulled out of the pool project. Substantial funds in the form of provincial and federal subsidies and grants are necessary in order to build the aquatic centre with estimates that the project would require about $15 million to build.