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Edmundston, November 25, 2013 – The Madawaska Maliseet First Nation and the Refuge Madawaska Shelter Inc. announced in a press conference, plans and details concerning the construction of a shelter.
Special guests were also present, including Lynn Trecartin, representative of the Honourable Bernard Valcourt, Member of Parliament for Madawaska-Restigouche, the Honourable Madeleine DubĂ©, member of the Legislative Assembly for Edmundston – Saint-Basile and Minister of Social Development, Yvon Bonenfant the member of the Legislative Assembly for Madawaska-les-Lacs, and Cyrille Simard, Mayor of Edmundston.
The Chief of the Madawaska Maliseet First Nation, Patricia Bernard, announced that land is available to build the shelter. She is committed to raise an amount of $ 100,000 in the next year to begin construction, starting with the foundation and site preparations. As part of her fundraisers, Ms. Bernard is planning a lobster dinner with silent auction. As a candidate in the elections to become Chief, Ms. Bernard was committed to helping the community. She chose to support the Refuge Madawaska Shelter Inc. because helping animals is a cause dear to her heart, but also because she saw the determination and optimism that Christine Landry had towards this project, gaining her fullest support.
The building, which is estimated to cost $ 350,000, will measure 54 X 64 feet. Construction is expected to begin by the end of 2014. In the shelter, we will find a waiting room, meeting space, a veterinary clinic, rooms for dogs and cats, quarantine and isolation rooms.
For her part, the President of the Refuge Madawaska Shelter Inc, Christine Landry announced that there will be major fundraisers taking place sometime next year to raise the necessary remaining funds, of about $ 250,000. “We will begin solicitation via governments, businesses and the public in order to start the construction as soon as possible. Moreover, we hope that people will help us and vote in large numbers starting December 2nd for the semi-finals of the Aviva Community Fund. With all the votes cast in the first qualifying round we were able to go directly to the semi-finals. By successfully qualifying in this competition we would receive up to $ 150,000, which would give us a good boost. ”
The public is invited to vote from the Shelterâs website at www.refugemadawaskashelter.org/aviva.
Finally, Ms. Landry said that the unveiling of the Shelter plans today serves to demonstrate the commitment that herself along with the Board of directors have for this cause. In addition, the MLA for Edmundston / Saint-Basile and Social Development Minister, the Honourable Madeleine Dubé, gave her support to the construction with a donation of a $ 100 cheque to go towards the project, and invited the public to do the same. For his part, the Mayor of Edmundston, Cyrille Simard, has announced support from the city in this project and mentioned that the doors of City Hall are always open.
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For more information
Catherine Lecomte
Public Relations
Refuge Madawaska Shelter Inc.
506.253-1024
refugemadawaskashelter@gmail.com
