Canadiens Children's Foundation inaugurates 10th BLEU BLANC BOUGE rink

TROIS-RIVIÈRES (January 16, 2018) - The Montreal Canadiens Children's Foundation unveiled its 10th outdoor multipurpose and refrigerated rink today at Park Cardinal-Roy in Trois-Rivières as part of the BLEU BLANC BOUGE program presented by Canadian Tire Jumpstart Charities (Jumpstart).

To mark the official opening, Canadiens Alumni who grew up in the region or played hockey in the area were on hand to skate alongside kids from Trois-Rivières' Carmel district.
"This 10th BLEU BLANC BOUGE community rink, the fourth one to be built outside of Montreal, is significant for the Foundation as well as for the citizens of the region, because it represents our first implementation of this type of quality multipurpose infrastructure in Mauricie. In addition, we are very proud that the skaters' pavilion was named in honour of one of our former players, Steve Bégin, who grew up and first laced up his skates in this underprivileged neighbourhood of Trois-Rivières. We are sure that he will inspire many kids from Trois-Rivières to adopt a healthier lifestyle by discovering the many different sports that can be practiced on this new playground throughout the year," said Canadiens Owner, President and CEO Geoff Molson.
Canadian Tire Jumpstart Charities was named presenting sponsor of the BLEU BLANC BOUGE program at the start of the 2014-15 NHL season. Through its annual contribution of $230,000, Jumpstart joins the Montreal Canadiens Children's Foundation's efforts in offering opportunities for kids in less privileged areas to enjoy the benefits of sports and physical activity.
"At Jumpstart, we understand the profound impact sport has on communities: it brings people together and helps build strong neighbourhoods," said Scott Fraser, President of Canadian Tire Jumpstart Charities. "We are proud to support the Montreal Canadiens Children's Foundation and its BLEU BLANC BOUGE program in creating more opportunities for kids to get on the ice and have the chance to play, learn, and above all, have fun."
"It gives me great pleasure and immense pride to be here today inaugurating the Montreal Canadiens Children's Foundation's 10th BLEU BLANC BOUGE rink on behalf of the city of Trois-Rivières. Thanks to this initiative, many young people will be able to enjoy this unique facility, as well as a healthier, more active lifestyle. Located centrally in the city and in a densely populated area, this new infrastructure will benefit several community organizations located nearby, increasing the quality of life of our citizens," said Trois-Rivières Mayor, Yves Lévesque.
Trois-Rivières distinguished itself by its multi-sector groups that are working on the issues surrounding the development of a healthy lifestyle among young people. The BLEU BLANC BOUGE rink project fits naturally into the city's physical activity, sport and outdoor activity policies. Trois-Rivières also has a significant number of underprivileged children and schools in need, as well as a need for quality outdoor sports facilities.
The initiative is part of BLEU BLANC BOUGE, the Foundation's flagship project, featuring a total of 10 ice rinks built to date. The outdoor multipurpose and refrigerated community rinks are located in less privileged neighbourhoods: six in the Montreal area, one in Longueuil, one in Laval, one in Sherbrooke, and this new one in Trois-Rivières. Committed to providing high quality infrastructure, the Foundation works closely with a vast array of local entrepreneurs and experts in various fields, such as Cimco Refrigeration, a Montreal firm which specializes in process cooling and recreational refrigeration.
All 10 community rinks are vibrant gathering areas for sports and physical activity that provide youth from these areas a unique opportunity to discover a healthy and physically active lifestyle. To ensure the success of this program, the Foundation formed a dynamic partnership with Québec en Forme, sharing the ultimate goal of improving the health of children living in underprivileged areas. As an organization promoting the well-being of children, Québec en Forme works closely with the Foundation in selecting community programs and districts in which to implement the program, and assess its impact.
"Québec en Forme wishes to highlight this 10th initiative of the Montreal Canadiens Children's Foundation. The arrival of a new rink will allow young people to be active every day. I am proud that our expertise, as well as our strong and committed network of partners, can be used to facilitate such fabulous projects," added Québec en Forme's General Manager Eric Lamothe.
Representatives from Desjardins Securities were also present at the inauguration of this 10th rink. As a first-rate partner of the Montreal Canadiens Children's Foundation since 2001, Desjardins Securities has been providing financial support for children in need for many years and has donated more than $6 million to the Foundation to help achieve its mission and goals. "For 16 years, Desjardins Securities has been pleased to partner with the Montreal Canadiens Children's Foundation to contribute to the various initiatives implemented for youth in need across the province," said Vincent Hogue, Senior Vice-President and Head of Private Client Services. "The BLEU BLANC BOUGE ice rink in Trois-Rivières is one of the achievements we are very proud to be associated with."
About the BLEU BLANC BOUGE program
Built in accordance with NHL standards and dimensions (200 feet by 85 feet) and featuring professional ice quality, the BLEU BLANC BOUGE rinks are versatile enough to be used for other sports during the year. After skating season, which runs from the end of November until mid-March, the new facility in the park Cardinal-Roy can be used for sports like soccer, in-line hockey and more. The program has also donated 100 pairs of skates, 100 helmets and 100 hockey sticks for children to use at the facility.
About the Montreal Canadiens Children's Foundation
The Montreal Canadiens Children's Foundation encourages physical activity and the adoption of a healthy lifestyle among underprivileged youth from 4 to 17 years old. Since its inception in August 2000, the Foundation has invested over $27 million in the community with its BLEU BLANC BOUGE program and donations to more than 755 charitable endeavours working for the well-being of underprivileged children across the province of Quebec.
The Foundation fulfills its mandate in two ways: first, through a unique flagship project - the BLEU BLANC BOUGE program - which consists of building community refrigerated and multi-sport rinks; secondly, by providing financial support to organizations whose projects and programs enable children to adopt healthy lifestyles by being more active.
About Canadian Tire Jumpstart Charities
Canadian Tire Jumpstart Charities is a national charity dedicated to helping kids overcome financial and accessibility barriers to sport and recreation in order to provide inclusive play for kids of all abilities. With an extensive, national network of more than 1,900 Community Partners and nearly 300 local chapters, Jumpstart helps eligible families cover the costs of registration, transportation, and equipment, and provides funding to selected organizations for recreational infrastructure and programming. Supported by the Government of Canada through Sport Canada and the Canadian Tire Family of Companies, which includes Canadian Tire, PartSource, Gas+, Sport Chek, Atmosphere, National Sports, Sports Experts, Mark's and Canadian Tire Financial Services, Jumpstart has enabled 1.5 million Canadian kids and counting to get in the game since 2005.
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