March 6, 2007
$1 Million in Funding Announced for Allard and Selkirk-St. Andrews-St. Clements Libraries
– – –Building Manitoba Fund Supports $6.3 Million for Rural Recreation and Library Projects Across Manitoba
Intergovernmental Affairs Minister Steve Ashton today announced $400,000 for the Allard Library in the RM of Alexander and $600,000 for the Selkirk-St. Andrews-St. Clements regional library. The announcement is part of a $6.3-million funding commitment under the Building Manitoba Fund for municipal library and recreation facilities in rural and northern Manitoba which will be announced over the next few weeks.
The RM of Alexander will use the funds to construct a new 3,500-square-foot library in the community of St. Georges and a new regional library will be built in Selkirk to Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) standards.
“As part of a more than $600-million multi-year commitment, this is a one-of-a-kind in Canada income and fuel tax sharing fund,” said Ashton.
“These two libraries will benefit significantly from today’s funding announcement,” said Education, Citizenship and Youth Minister Peter Bjornson. “The residents of Selkirk, St. Andrews and St. Clements will be better served by an enhanced and LEED-standard library while the new St. Georges library will house the current collection and provide additional space for increased adult and children’s programming.”
The 2006 provincial budget established a new Municipal Recreation and Library Fund for communities in rural and northern Manitoba as part of the Building Manitoba Fund, providing $7.4 million in provincial funding over the next two years for recreation and library facility projects in rural and northern Manitoba. Through the Building Manitoba Fund, municipalities receive a share of provincial income and fuel taxes – revenues that grow with the economy – to support their infrastructure and service delivery needs
The Municipal Recreation and Library Fund is being administered through existing provincial grants programs: Community Places and the Municipal Rural Infrastructure Fund. Eligible projects include construction/improvements to recreation and wellness facilities such as libraries, recreation centres, community halls, parks, arenas and pools.
Last December, the province announced $1.1 million in funding from the Building Manitoba Fund for the upgrade and development of computers in rural and northern public libraries. With today’s announcement, the full $7.4 million has been committed for recreation and library facilities across Manitoba.
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