Peter Braid spoke at the official reopening ceremony for the Wilfrid Laurier University Pool, reflecting on the partnerships that renewed the facility so it can continue to serve our community for another 15-20 years. The text of his speech is included below.

Good afternoon everyone.

It is a pleasure to be here with you this afternoon, for this exciting grand opening.

We all know how significant this project has been to our community. I first came to the Athletic Complex to meet about it last December.

Now, a little less than a year later, we’re standing on the deck of a brand new pool that will serve this community for fifteen to twenty years.

This is a real victory for Kitchener–Waterloo, and it is a clear example of what we can accomplish when we work together.

On most Economic Action Plan infrastructure projects, you’ll see a partnership between three levels of government: federal, provincial and municipal.

On this one, Wilfrid Laurier University, the Laurier Student Union, the K-W Aquatic Alliance, the Cities of Waterloo and Kitchener, the Government of Ontario, and the Government of Canada have all come together.

During my months of advocating for this project in Ottawa, I could always point to this widespread community support. It reinforced my case, and we were ultimately successful.

The federal government invested $1 million in this building.

But this government is just one partner among many. And that, I believe, demonstrates the strength of our community.

In Kitchener–Waterloo, we work together, we collaborate, we build partnerships, and we get results.

And the result we celebrate today –– the $4.2 million renovation of this facility –– is going to make a difference.

Like other projects funded under the Recreational Infrastructure Canada program, it will encourage a healthy and active lifestyle.

It will continue to provide recreational swimmers with new opportunities to get in the water –– to have fun.

And it will help foster the dreams of our competitive swimmers, and our Olympians, as they strive for new levels of excellence.

I offer my sincerest congratulations to everyone who has worked tirelessly to save this pool. There are too many people to name, both here on Laurier’s campus and beyond.

All of your efforts are recognized and appreciated.

You have worked together in the best traditions of our community, and we are all benefiting from your determination, and from the partnerships we have forged.

Thank you, and once again, congratulations!