Gatineau, June 3, 2014. – The Ottawa Senators Foundation and Ville de Gatineau are pleased to announce their partnership for the construction of five outdoor rinks in Gatineau over the next five years.

"The partnership agreement with the Ottawa Senators Foundation will contribute to the city's delivery of services for outdoor rinks. Therefore, this is great news for Gatineau residents who will be able to take advantage of new permanent infrastructures in each sector, the first of which will be built as soon as next winter. I would like to take this opportunity to thank the Ottawa Senators Foundation for this wonderful initiative and for cooperating with us in promoting active lifestyles", said the mayor of Gatineau, Mr. Maxime Pedneaud-Jobin.

Under the terms of this agreement, the Ottawa Senators Foundation is committed to raising the necessary funds for implementation and development work, which represents an investment of approximately $200,000 to $250,000 for each rink, while Ville de Gatineau will be responsible for maintenance, installation of lighting and supervision.

The rinks will be set up over the next five years in the following locations:

• Aylmer sector
o Central Park/Le Plateau Urban Village Core (2015)
• Hull sector
o Fontaine Park (2017)
• Gatineau sector
o Gilbert-Garneau Park (2014)
o Saint-Gérard Park (2018)
• Buckingham and Masson-Angers sectors
o Park to be determined (2016)

It should be noted that the choice of sites was guided by an analysis based on assessment criteria such as the number of users, community profile and location in a neighbourhood park near a school.

The first two rinks to be built will comply with the dimensional requirements of the National Hockey League, that is to say, 25 by 61 metres (85 by 200 feet). The dimensions of the three others will be 15.2 by 30.5 metres (50 by 100 feet), which correspond to the standardized outside rinks with boards in Gatineau. The rinks will be built on a concrete base and will have permanent boards.