Canadiens Donate Fifth Outdoor Rink

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Hal Gill with a young child at the BLEU BLANC ROUGE Verdun rink. (Photo courtesy of the Montreal Canadiens Children's Foundation)

CANADIENS DONATE FIFTH BLEU, BLANC, BOUGE OUTDOOR RINK
Wednesday, 30.11.2011 / 1:55 PM / News
canadiens.com

PRESS RELEASE

Hal Gill with a young child at the BLEU BLANC ROUGE Verdun rink. (Photo courtesy of the Montreal Canadiens Children's Foundation)

MONTREAL (November 30, 2011) – The Montreal Canadiens Children’s Foundation is pleased to announce that Confederation Park in the Côte-des-Neiges/Notre-Dame-de-Grâce borough has been selected as the site of the fifth outdoor community BLEU BLANC BOUGE rink. Construction is scheduled to begin in August 2012.

The Foundation determines the location of each multipurpose rink and infrastructure by working closely with Montreal’s major community and social organizations, such as Québec en Forme, Centraide of Greater Montreal, public health leaders, sports and recreation groups, and various municipal organizations. The implementation of each rink is also the result of concerted efforts and strategic mobilization aimed at helping youth in their development. The committee conducts a comprehensive analysis by studying all site proposals and statistics that will benefit children before a location is officially selected.

BLEU, BLANC, BOUGE RINK #4: construction under way in Lasalle As previously announced, the fourth BLEU BLANC BOUGE rink will soon be unveiled at Hayward Park in the borough of Lasalle. Construction is currently under way as the Foundation’s partners, entrepreneurs and volunteers are committed to providing the area youth with quality ice for the upcoming winter.

Youth on the move in Saint-Michel, Montreal North and Verdun Winter 2009 saw the construction of the first outdoor rink at François-Perrault Park in Villeray-Saint-Michel-Parc-Extension borough, and, in January 2010, the second rink was unveiled at Le Carignan Park in Montreal North, followed by the inauguration of the third rink at Verdun’s Willibrord Park in January 2011. Since January 2009, over 45,000 kids took advantage of the BLEU BLANC BOUGE rinks under the supervision of school personnel or community organizations. Furthermore, BLEU BLANC BOUGE provided free access to some 14,000 youth and citizens to enjoy sporting activities throughout the year where these rinks are implemented.

BLEU BLANC BOUGE at a glance BLEU BLANC BOUGE is the Montreal Canadiens Children’s Foundation flagship project. This exciting initiative aims at building five refrigerated outdoor multipurpose community rinks at a cost of one million dollars each, to host an array of sports activities in less privileged neighborhoods of the greater Montreal area. These rinks are meant to be recreational and gathering centers, where physical exercise allows local youth to learn more about adopting healthy lifestyles and enjoying sports. The Foundation has launched these rinks with the help of several key partners, including the FTQ and the Fonds de solidarité FTQ, in collaboration with the City of Montreal’s blue collar workers, members of FTQ Construction and local entrepreneurs providing financial and material resources, and volunteer labour. The Foundation also relies on the expertise of Arena Design Services when it comes to rink products and services, and Québec en Forme, which helps the Foundation in finding sites and community partners, as well as the development of each site and measuring the impact of the program on local communities.

About the Montreal Canadiens Children’s Foundation: The Montreal Canadiens Children’s Foundation is determined to provide a better and healthier future for children in need, and is committed to encourage and promote a healthy and active lifestyle among the youth. Since its inception in August 2000, the Foundation has donated more than $12 million to over 450 charitable groups working to support the well-being of children across Quebec.

1 COMMENT

  1. I find it amazing that the Habs continue to donate rinks to communities. Their involvement in the community is incredible. Just one of the many reasons I love this team.

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