May 17, 2010
Children's Museum Gallery Renos Among the Millions Invested to Support Manitoba Families: Irvin-Ross
– – –$4.5 Million Invested Into Community, Recreation Centres
Renovations to the exhibit gallery at the Manitoba Children’s Museum and the construction of community centres, water and spray parks are among the hundreds of initiatives provincewide receiving funding under the Community Places Program, Housing and Community Development Minister Kerri Irvin-Ross announced today.
“Once again we are responding to the needs of Manitobans and are providing funding to help strengthen Manitoba’s recreation and wellness infrastructure,” said Irvin-Ross. “When we assist local groups and municipalities to improve facilities, we ensure Manitobans continue to enjoy community events and recreation in their neighbourhoods.”
“The Community Places grant we are receiving is a boost to our organization and our capital campaign,” said Diane Doth, executive director of the Manitoba Children’s Museum. “It supports construction that is critical to undertake before we can move our 12 new exhibits into place. The support the province has demonstrated to the Children’s Museum has been encouraging in our goal to support the kids and families in our province.”
Budget 2010 invests $4.5 million through the Community Places Program, which is expected to leverage more than $67 million in community-based construction projects for the upgrade of existing facilities or create new ones, the minister said.
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.
This year’s projects include museums, playgrounds, multi-use and recreation facilities, child-care centres, libraries, community halls and seniors’ facilities. The projects involve critical repairs, roof replacements, fresh-air ventilation, fire-safety upgrades, energy-efficiency improvements and disability access upgrades.
Community groups will start work on a diverse range of projects assisted by Community Places, such as:
· $30,000 for the Manitoba Children’s Museum to support renovations to the exhibit gallery,
· $11,449 for the Carrot Valley Community Centre in The Pas to support the installation of a geothermal heating and cooling system,
· $18,000 for the Town of Morden to help construct an aquatic spray park,
· $40,000 for the Town of Powerview-Pine Falls to help renovate the Pine Falls Recreation Facility,
· $39,000 for the Fisher River Cree Nation to help construct a new energy-efficient multi-purpose youth cabin,
· $5,332 for the McCreary Seniors Drop-In Centre to support upgrades to the centre,
· $40,000 for the Town of Virden to support the construction of a multi-purpose recreation centre,
· $20,000 for the Association of Pakistani Canadians of Manitoba to help with interior renovations of their cultural centre, and
· $20,000 for the Manitoba Wildlife Federation to support the construction of an interpretative walkway and fish ladder along Sturgeon Creek.
Irvin-Ross acknowledged this is the 25th year of the Community Places Program and also announced the deadline for Community Place Program grants will move to Dec. 15. The minister said the new date will benefit grant recipients so they can get an earlier start on their initiatives.
A complete project list is available at www.manitoba.mb.ca/housing/cpp.
- 30 -