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May 29, 2009 PROVINCE, NON-PROFIT GROUPS INVEST $46 MILLION TO REVITALIZE NEIGHBOURHOOD COMMUNITY AND REC CENTRES: ROBINSON– – –Manitoba Contributes $4.5 Million Toward 306 Community-led Initiatives The province and Manitoba non-profit groups are investing $46 million this year to revitalize and renew community and recreation centres to improve Manitobans’ access to healthy, active living, Culture, Heritage, Tourism and Sport Minister Eric Robinson announced today.
Manitoba is contributing $4.5 million through the Community Places Program toward the overall initiative, which will see investments in 306 community-led renewal initiatives that will help to provide over an estimated 1,300 jobs. The provincial contribution supports over $46 million in community‑based construction projects by not-for-profit groups to upgrade existing facilities or create new ones. Industry estimates show that for every $1 million invested in renovations, 30 jobs are created and $1.5 million is added to the GDP.
“Community clubs are the town-square gathering places of modern life and are extremely important to neighbourhoods and the health and well-being of families,” Robinson said. “Increasing sports and recreation opportunities for kids helps them get active, make friends and learn new pastimes, many that last a lifetime.”
“When we assist local groups and municipalities to improve facilities, we help ensure Manitobans can continue improve the quality of life for Manitobans with community events and recreation in their neighbourhood,” Healthy Living Minister Kerri Irvin-Ross said today on behalf of Robinson.
“This investment will make it possible to transform three vacant lots behind our proposed child-care and intergenerational learning centre on Selkirk Avenue into an urgently needed, creative play space and green space for the children and families of our community,” said Eleanor Thompson, director of development for Urban Circle Training Centre, which is receiving a $50,000-grant for construction of a natural playground for the use of its child-care training course.
This year’s projects include child-care and seniors’ centres, museums, playgrounds, recreation centres, libraries, community halls and facilities. The projects involve critical repairs, roof replacement, fresh-air ventilation, fire-safety upgrades, energy-efficiency improvements and disability‑access upgrades.
Eligible projects receive up to 50 per cent of the first $15,000 of total project costs and up to one-third of any costs over that amount to a maximum of $50,000. Non-profit organizations can apply for assistance for both facility development and improvement projects.
Community groups will start work on a diverse range of projects assisted by Community Places such as: · $10,000 for St. François Xavier Community Club for renovating its building including a new energy-efficient furnace and new roofing;
· $8,000 for the Broken-Beau Historical Society for the interior and exterior renovations to the historic Edward Schreyer House in Beausejour;
· $20,618 for the Teulon and District Chamber of Commerce to construct an outdoor stage;
· $39,104 for the Town of Churchill for the retrofit of an existing bowling alley;
· $15,000 for the Dauphin Multi-purpose Senior Centre for the construction of a canopy over the front entrance and stucco upgrades;
· $1,300 for the Baldur Recreation Centre for kitchen safety-code upgrades;
· $15,000 for the Mount Carmel Clinic in Winnipeg to install an accessibility ramp;
· $35,000 for the École St. Avila Home and School Association in Winnipeg for water stewardship best practice landscaping of grounds including site development and drainage; and
· $50,000 for the Manitoba Indigenous Cultural Education Centre to restore, modernize and reconfigure a 100-year-old cultural and education centre facility in Winnipeg.
Since 2000, the Manitoba government has invested $30.7 million in 2,548 community and rec centre projects.
A complete project list is available at www.manitoba.mb.ca/chc/grants/cpp.html.
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