Sarah Rennie – LJI reporter

Sainte-Barbe mayor Louise Lebrun ceremoniously threw the first jack, or “cochonnet,” to officially inaugurate the municipality’s new pétanque courts on August 14.

The popular boules sport, which involves players tossing balls towards a target ball (the jack), is somewhat like lawn bowling or bocce.

The new playing surfaces cost a total investment of $104,520 and were installed by Ormstown-based contractor Construction Jacques Théorêt Inc. They are located on Rue des Moissons, near the Cooperative de solidarité du Parc seniors’ housing development.

Huntingdon MNA Carole Mallette was on hand for the inauguration to represent the provincial government, which invested $99,832 in the project through the Programme d’infrastructures municipales pour les aînés (PRIMA) program aimed at providing municipal infrastructure for seniors.

“Seniors in Sainte-Barbe have been eagerly awaiting these new courts, and they are already being put to good use,” said Lebrun, while pointing out that the popularity of the playing surfaces suggests they meet a real need within the community.

“Facilities like these encourage seniors to stay active, while providing new opportunities for socializing,” added the mayor, who acknowledged the provincial government’s support of their creation.

“I’m delighted to see that residents of the Coopérative de Solidarité du Parc are already enjoying the pétanque courts,” said Mallette.

“This demonstrates that the financial assistance granted under PRIMA is fully meeting its objectives to improve seniors’ quality of life, and to promote active aging in the community as part of the Age-Friendly Municipality initiative,” added the MNA.