Huntsville getting G8 centre and second arena pad

The expansion will be comprised primarily of a 100 by 200-foot second arena pad, which is intended to serve as the media centre for the G8 Summit.

Also included are walking bridges across the Muskoka River to the Mountview wastewater plant, a change in road access to the plant itself, additional parking at the plant and a parking structure that would sit alongside Huntsville High School.

In addition to the funding announcement for Huntsville, Clement said that North Bay would be receiving about $11 million to revamp its airport, half of which would come from the G8 Summit line in the federal budget, and that it would serve as the international destination for flights coming to the summit.

He added that in total, up to $50 million is expected to be spent on infrastructure projects related to the G8 Summit, and that he would have more announcements for area municipalities in his riding in the weeks and months to come.

Huntsville mayor Claude Doughty said it was a very exciting day for Huntsville.

He told this newspaper that work on the expansion will likely begin in the next seven to eight weeks, with a completion date of April 2010.

Doughty added that a community celebration will be held in honour of the announcement at the Huntsville Centennial Centre from 7 to 9 p.m. Saturday evening.