For Release
February 02, 2007
Brooks, Alberta – Residents of the City of Brooks
will benefit from a $6 million investment from Canada’s New Government
and the Government of Alberta towards building a new arena at the Lakeside
Leisure Centre.
The federal and provincial governments will contribute $3 million each
under the Canada-Alberta Municipal Rural Infrastructure Fund (CAMRIF). The
new, more energy efficient building will replace the 45-year-old Brooks
Centennial Arena and will benefit area residents through expanded recreational
programs and enhanced facility access for people with disabilities.
The Honourable Monte Solberg, Minister of Human Resources and
Skills Development, on behalf of the Honourable Rona Ambrose, Minister
of Intergovernmental Affairs and Minister of Western Economic Diversification,
and the Honourable Lyle Oberg, Minister of Alberta Finance
and MLA for Strathmore-Brooks, on behalf of the Honourable
Luke Ouellette, Minister of Alberta Infrastructure and Transportation,
made the joint announcement today.
“Canada’s New Government is getting things done
for the people of Brooks and the county of Newell,” said Minister
Solberg. “Today’s investment will expand recreation
programs and improve facility access for people with disabilities – all
in a more energy-efficient facility.”
"This announcement demonstrates our commitment in responding to
the needs of our residents," said Minister Oberg. "This is
a significant investment that contributes to the sustainability of Brooks
that the residents will benefit from for years to come.”
“AUMA’s sustainability initiative emphasizes the need to
build communities that are economically viable, culturally vibrant, socially
inclusive and environmentally responsible, and supported by sound governance
practices. The new Brooks Centennial Arena is a fine example of how the
CAMRIF can help support our municipalities in achieving long-term sustainability,” said
AUMA President Bob Hawkesworth.
The Canada-Alberta Municipal Rural Infrastructure Fund is a joint initiative
between the Governments of Canada and Alberta that enables communities
to address local infrastructure needs. Over the course of CAMRIF,
the federal and provincial governments will each contribute $88 million
in funding for municipal infrastructure renewal.
Eligible projects under CAMRIF include water and sewage treatment, solid
waste management, public transit and energy improvements to municipal
buildings. The
fund also supports better roads and bridges, cultural, recreational and
tourism projects and improved broadband Internet access. Projects
are selected on a competitive basis from applications received from Alberta
communities.
For additional information, contact:
Donna Kinley
Communications Manager
Western Economic Diversification Canada
Edmonton, Alberta
Tel: (780) 495-6892
Jerry Bellikka
Communications Director
Alberta Infrastructure and Transportation
Edmonton, Alberta
Tel: (780) 415-1841
WD Toll-Free Number:
1 888 338-WEST (9378)
Web Site: WD is online at
www.wd-deo.gc.ca.
Subscribe to news releases and keep up-to-date on the latest from WD.
Backgrounder
Canada-Alberta Municipal Rural Infrastructure
Fund (CAMRIF)
The following projects are receiving funding under the Canada-Alberta
Municipal Rural Infrastructure Fund (CAMRIF).
City of Brooks
Replacement of the Centennial Arena
Combined federal / provincial investment: $6,000,000 (pending environmental
assessment)
This project will replace the Brooks Centennial Arena and is
the third phase in the construction of the Lakeside Leisure Centre.
Fact Sheet
Canada-Alberta Municipal Rural Infrastructure Fund (CAMRIF)
Partnership Program
The Canada-Alberta Municipal Rural Infrastructure Fund (CAMRIF) is designed
to address local infrastructure needs in rural and urban Alberta. It
ensures all Albertans, whether they live in large, small or remote communities,
share in the benefits of infrastructure investments.
Through the fund,
the Governments of Canada and Alberta invest in local infrastructure
projects. These projects are vital to sustaining strong economic growth
and quality of life in Canadian communities.
The federal-provincial CAMRIF Agreement provides $88 million each in
federal and provincial funding for municipal infrastructure renewal, reflecting
shared federal and provincial priorities. With matching one-third
contributions from municipalities, total program funding will be at
least $264 million.
CAMRIF is implemented by Western Economic Diversification
Canada and Alberta Infrastructure and Transportation, and is administered
by a joint secretariat.
Program Priorities
A minimum of 55 per cent of funding under CAMRIF targets “green
infrastructure” projects that contribute to community economic development
and environmental quality of life. These include water, wastewater, solid
waste, environmental energy improvements and public transit. The
fund also invests in recreational infrastructure, tourism and cultural
projects, local roads and broadband connectivity.
At least 80 per cent
of CAMRIF funding is dedicated to rural municipalities with a population
of less than 250,000. The remaining 20 per cent is available to urban
municipalities with a population greater than 250,000.
At total of
$880,000 is also available to municipalities for Municipal Capacity
Building (MCB) projects. Projects may include, but is not
limited to, the acquisition of infrastructure planning software, training
to use that software, planning studies to determine the inventory and
condition of infrastructure assets in the municipality or the development
of a demand asset management system.
Local input and collaboration
CAMRIF is managed by a six member Management Committee consisting
of two federal representatives, two provincial representatives, and
two members representing Alberta’s municipal associations—the
Alberta Urban Municipalities Association and the Alberta Association
of Municipal Districts and Counties. The Management Committee develops
the Management Committee guidelines and oversees the project review
and selection process. Projects are selected on a competitive basis
from applications received from Alberta communities. The deadline to
submit applications for the first intake was July 31, 2006.
Applications
for the second intake will be accepted in Spring 2007.
Environmental Assessment
CAMRIF projects are required to successfully complete applicable environmental
assessment processes, and funding is conditional on compliance with all
applicable federal and provincial requirements.
How to apply
For more information, contact the Canada-Alberta Municipal Rural
Infrastructure Fund Joint Secretariat by phone (toll free) at 1-800-396-0214,
by e-mail at camrif@gov.ab.ca or
visit the website www.camrif.ca .
Information
about Government of Canada and Alberta’s infrastructure
programs is available at www.infrastructure.gc.ca and
www.infratrans.gov.ab.ca .
