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Out of these various needs has grown a vision for a new “Montague & Area Wellness Center” – a multi-use facility that can be self-sustaining and meet the needs of the whole region as it continues to grow. While hockey currently is the dominant organized sports activity at the Iceland Arena, the community is looking for the Center to include spaces and programming that would have much wider benefit.

The approved two-level, 43,670 square foot Wellness Center will house a 500-seat arena with a regulation size ice surface, four men’s and two women’s dressing rooms, a lobby, offices, community space, meeting rooms, kitchen facilities, storage areas and mechanical rooms. In addition, the Wellness Center will feature two indoor walking tracks, providing a suitable exercise venue for young and old alike in any season - protected from inclement weather.

Another integral part of the new Montague & Area Wellness Center will be the Library. The current Library is far too small to serve the needs of the more than 4,300 people who use it – and the limited space restricts the programming that can be offered. The new Library will be approximately five times larger, with expanded services for promoting literacy and meeting the needs of all ages.

Healthy citizens translate into a healthy community. The rink and indoor walking tracks will provide for a wide variety of year-round physical activity for citizens of all ages. The expanded Library will promote literacy and provide many recreation opportunities for everyone in the Greater Montague area. Through these gathering spaces, the social fabric of the community will be greatly enhanced.

A Unique Opportunity – The 2009 Canada Summer Games

The Town of Montague is pleased to have been chosen as one of the host communities for the Canada Summer Games taking place on Prince Edward Island in 2009. This is a very exciting opportunity for the entire region, and puts further impetus to ensure that this initiative is as successful as possible. With the Wellness Center’s enhanced facilities and services, the Greater Montague area will have a venue that everyone will be proud to show off to the rest of the country.

The Montague & Area Wellness Center will require a substantial commitment from the community in order to make it a success. The total cost of the expansion – confirmed through a recent project review - will be $5.1 million. Federal infrastructure funding and provincial matching will provide $3.4 million of the overall cost with the final third, or $1.7 million, to be raised privately from the community. The Montague Rotary Club has already pledged the first leadership gift of $100,000 to the project.

All user-communities have pledged their support for the project through a variety of methods. For example, the Town of Montague and the Community of Brudenell will each apply a temporary property tax levy that is expected to bring a combined total of almost $475,000 from their residents. Other communities will either conduct door-to-door canvassing or community-based fundraising to allow their residents to contribute to the project.

Now comes the opportunity to make this happen.

A strong campaign team has been put in place, led by community and business leaders from across the region. A sound, approved business plan has been developed which assures us the facility can be self-sustaining over time. A campaign goal has been set; a campaign plan has been developed and begun to unfold. In order for the campaign to be successful, broad-based, strong support will have to come from individuals, organizations and businesses from the area and beyond. There are a number of options for giving and your canvasser is able to review these with you.

We urge you to consider giving a donation to help the Montague & Area Wellness Center Campaign meet its goal – the largest ever in this region. With your support, we can make this happen --- and remember - our future is now.

To make a pledge or a donation contact the Wellness Centre Office 126 Douses Road, PO Box 93, Montague PE., C0A 1R0 or phone(902) 838- 2249. Email: MAAWC [maawc@pei.aibn.com]

Thank You for your support.
Richard (Dick) MacLean
Honorary Chairman
Montague & Area Wellness Center Campaign

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