This Tuesday, at the National Assembly, independent Vaudreuil MNA Marie-Claude Nichols urged the CAQ government to invest in sports infrastructure projects in her riding, particularly in the long-delayed Pincourt arena project. She also requested a meeting with the Premier to discuss the issue.

Her appeal was partly motivated by the recent closure of the Sainte-Anne-de-Bellevue arena due to its deteriorating condition. 

The Pincourt Arena Project Still on Ice
Nichols expressed frustration over the CAQ government’s decision last Thursday to introduce a bill recognizing hockey as Quebec’s national sport, while at the same time allocating $7 million in public funds to the Los Angeles Kings to finance their visit to Quebec. Meanwhile, municipalities in her riding have been denied funding for an arena project for several years.

"If the CAQ government, which is so passionate about hockey, had invested the $7 million given to the Kings into the Pincourt arena project, our families, Sport-Études students, seniors, and even people with reduced mobility could be playing ice sports close to home today," Nichols stated. "Unfortunately, our municipalities see their project rejected year after year. It’s time for the CAQ to make the right choices by investing in services for the population."

The Pincourt arena project is a joint effort by the municipalities of Pincourt, L’Île-Perrot, Notre-Dame-de-l’Île-Perrot, and Terrasse-Vaudreuil to provide Île Perrot with a modern sports facility, including two ice rinks.

The facility would also accommodate people with reduced mobility. Despite meeting all the eligibility criteria for the Financial Assistance Program for Recreational, Sports, and Outdoor Infrastructure (PAFIRSPA), funding requests submitted in 2020 and 2023 were rejected.

It is worth noting that construction of the building began in 2003 but was never completed.

80 Kilometers a Day to Train
With Vaudreuil-Soulanges experiencing rapid population growth, existing sports facilities can no longer meet demand, forcing athletes to travel long distances to practice their sport.

The closure of the Sainte-Anne-de-Bellevue arena has worsened the situation, with skaters now commuting to Valleyfield and some recreational leagues canceling their seasons, according to Nichols.

"It’s unacceptable that Vaudreuil families have to drive 80 kilometers a day just to get their kids to practice," Nichols denounced. "Many people in my riding who have played hockey in various leagues for over 40 years are now forced to hang up their skates because there is no longer an arena available. Even though the Minister of Education, the Minister of Municipal Affairs, and the Soulanges MNA have come to see the problem firsthand, they have taken no action. If we want active youth and a healthy population, what is the CAQ waiting for to support our municipalities?" she concluded.