Manitoba Government Announces Grants to Help Remote Communities Upgrade Recreational, Social Facilities

February 19, 2015

Community Places Program – North Fosters Healthier Children, Families: Ministers Irvin-Ross, Kostyshyn

Residents in remote northern communities will be able to benefit from upgraded local sports and recreational facilities thanks to grants from the province’s Community Places Program – North, Housing and Community Development Minister Kerri Irvin-Ross announced today.

“Sports and recreation help create healthy families and healthy communities,” said Minister Irvin-Ross.  “Modern facilities help provide kids and families with opportunities to learn physical and social skills, have fun and build community spirit.”

“Among this year’s projects there will be upgrades to extend the lives and expand the usefulness of important facilities in communities around The Pas that will benefit local families for years to come,” Minister Kostyshyn said while in The Pas today.

Minister Kostyshyn said some projects in the region surrounding The Pas receiving funds under the Community Places Program – North program include:

• Clearwater Lake Social Club – Clearwater Lake Airport – renovating a well-used community hall including the kitchen area, front entrance and flooring;
• Incorporated Community of Cross Lake – developing the new Horace Halcrow Parkto include a new fence, play structure and access to the park;
• Norway House Cree Nation Education Division – replacing the community gym’s floor and installing new energy efficient lighting;
• Halcrow Lake Golf and Country Club – removing portions of the exterior of the clubhouse building and replacing the shingles and some windows.

The Community Places Program – North provides funding and planning assistance to non-profit community organizations for facility construction, upgrading, expansion or acquisition projects.  Projects typically include museums, playgrounds, multi-use and recreation facilities, child-care centres, libraries, community halls and seniors’ facilities.

Organizations in northern and remote communities can apply for 100 per cent of project costs, up to a maximum of $75,000.  Twenty-one grants have been approved for 2015 throughout the north for a total of $666,463 in funding, Minister Kostyshyn noted.

Eligible projects include those providing sustainable recreation and wellness benefits to communities.  Eligible applicants include northern and remote communities north of the 53rd parallel, excluding The Pas, Flin Flon and Thompson, or only accessible by vehicle via the winter ice road system.

A list of approved grant recipients can be found at www.manitoba.ca/housing/cpp.

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