Town of Quispamsis laces up to host TELUS Cup

The Government of Canada has pledged $100,000 for upgrades to the qplex.

The TELUS Cup, Canada’s National Midget Championship, is returning to the province of New Brunswick, and the Town of Quispamsis is well into the planning stages for hosting this prestigious event in April of 2016. The town’s multi-purpose recreation and conference centre, the qplex, will be the host facility.

Today, the Honourable Rob Moore, Regional Minister for New Brunswick, Minister of State (Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency) and Member of Parliament for Fundy Royal, joined Town of Quispamsis officials to announce a federal contribution of $100,000 to enable the town to complete the required infrastructure upgrades to host this Canadian hockey event.

The qplex requires an upgrade to its press box area for television and media personnel, and increased amp power for the live feed to broadcast the national event which is expected to draw hundreds of hockey enthusiasts from athletes and coaches to scouts and spectators, and families to the town. Economic benefits expected from this national event are projected to extend from Quispamsis throughout the Greater Saint John area.

Quick Facts:

• The Government of Canada, through ACOA’s Innovative Communities Fund, is committing $100,000 to help the Town of Quispamsis prepare to host the 2016 TELUS Cup, and provide the community with solid recreation infrastructure for many years to come.

• The qplex is a 75,000 square foot multi-purpose recreation and conference centre in the heart of Quispamsis. The facility features an NHL-size ice surface, a 4,000-square-foot conference centre, an indoor walking track, and is home to the YMCA of Greater Saint John Inc. Childcare Centre. Outside the complex is a junior Olympic swimming pool, full-access playground and dog park.

• The TELUS Cup, Canada’s National Midget Championship, is a seven-day event that features the nation’s best Midget hockey players, and consists of five regional champions (Atlantic, Central, Pacific, Quebec and West). Teams battle through a total of 19 games striving for the gold medal. Organizers expect a sell-out crowd for all games.

• The Saint John Vito’s of the New Brunswick/Prince Edward Island Major Midget Hockey League will serve as the host team of the championship.

Quotes:

"I am very pleased that Quispamsis will be hosting the TELUS Cup, Canada’s National Midget Championship, in 2016. Our government's support will enable the qplex to complete the necessary upgrades to broadcast this national event, which will have an important economic impact on the Greater Saint John area."

- The Honourable Rob Moore, Regional Minister for New Brunswick, Minister of State (Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency) and Member of Parliament for Fundy Royal

“We are thrilled to be hosting the TELUS Cup in Quispamsis and we are very appreciative of ACOA's commitment to this event. The tournament will provide a positive economic impact to Quispamsis and the Saint John region, as visitors from across the country come to our community.”

- Murray Driscoll, Mayor of Quispamsis

“This investment by ACOA is critical to the success of the tournament. We are excited to be bringing the national midget championship to New Brunswick for the first time since 2002.”

- Aaron Kennedy, chair of the 2016 TELUS Cup host organizing committee