Recreation and Roads major focus of investments

Cumberland City Councillor Stephen Blais is proud to announce that Orléans & Cumberland residents are winning big in Ottawa Budget 2015. Budget 2015 includes more than $20 million in new investments to support our growing community while bringing in the lowest tax change in eight years.

“Once again Cumberland residents both in Orléans and in our rural communities will see major investments in their communities to improve their quality of life,” says Councillor Blais. “The East End is finally getting its fair share and I’m proud that we are investing in the quality of life of our neighbours.”

Budget 2015 includes $15.87 million to extend Brian Coburn Boulevard to Navan Road. With design well underway these critical funds will ensure this $21.6 million project breaks ground this year and gets done on time.

The Brian Coburn Boulevard extension will provide a continuous alternative to Innes Road from Trim Road in the east to Navan Road in the west and will significantly reduce commute times for Orléans residents and reduce congestion on Innes Road.

“We’re continuing to invest to reduce commute times for Orléans and Cumberland residents,” says Blais. “Brian Coburn will soon become a critical alternative for residents of south Orléans and will allow us to spend more time with our loved ones.”

Budget 2015 also includes $4.5 million to begin construction of the much-anticipated expansion of François Dupuis Recreation Centre. The expansion will include a full gymnasium, new multi-purpose space for programming, rock climbing wall, outdoor amenity space and more parking.

“The François Dupuis Centre has quickly become a focal point for our growing community,” adds Blais. “By expanding the centre we can offer a wider array of programming options for residents of all ages, from toddlers to seniors. Investments in recreation are key to improving the health of our community and our overall quality of life.”

To help keep our community connected and improve recreational opportunities as Orléans grows we need to build linkages for pedestrians and cyclists alike. Budget 2015 provides for $400,000 to continue the Avalon North South Path along the hydro corridor. This investment will help create connectivity between neighbourhoods and parks and will eventually provide access to the trans Orléans pathway.

“Providing residents the opportunity to walk and cycle through our community safely is an important part of our ongoing plan to make Orléans an even more livable community,” says Blais. “Our investment in this network will allow residents to connect between neighbourhoods quickly and without having to worry about traffic.”

Budget 2015 also makes significant investments in rural infrastructure with over $3 million in rural roads and bridges in Cumberland Ward.

“In the last four years we’ve invested at record levels to improve our rural road network in Cumberland Ward,” says Blais. “All of our villages have seen significant investments from improvements to Colonial Road in Navan, Kinsella Drive in Cumberland to Rockdale Road in Vars we’ve improved the quality of roads in our villages. I am proud that Budget 2015 continues this trend to ensure our rural communities receive these important investments.”