For Release
March 5, 2007
Whitecourt, Alberta – Residents of the Town of
Whitecourt and Woodlands County will benefit from two municipal infrastructure
projects that will offer increased recreational opportunities and improved
road safety.
A combined federal/provincial investment of $2.1 million towards a new
aquatic centre as part of the Whitecourt Woodlands Multi-Use Facility
will offer increased recreational opportunities to families and other
users. The new aquatic facility will replace the existing pool,
which was constructed in 1975, and will be fully accessible to individuals
with disabilities.
A combined federal/provincial investment of $2.2 million towards upgrading
the Old Blue Ridge Highway in Woodlands County will improve driver safety
and reduce maintenance costs. The upgraded highway is also expected
to reduce travel distance by ensuring a direct transportation link between
Whitecourt and the oil and gas industry.
Through the Canada-Alberta Municipal Rural Infrastructure Fund (CAMRIF),
the federal and provincial governments will each contribute a total of
more than
$2 million to the two projects.
Rob Merrifield, Member of Parliament for Yellowhead, on behalf
of the Honourable Rona Ambrose, President of the Queen's
Privy Council for Canada, Minister of Intergovernmental
Affairs and Minister of Western Economic Diversification, and George
VanderBurg, MLA for Whitecourt–Ste. Anne, 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 Whitecourt and Woodlands County,” said MP
Merrifield. “Today’s investment of $4.3 million will
improve the quality of life for residents by providing better, more accessible
recreational opportunities and improved driving conditions.”
“A new aquatic centre will have a positive impact on Whitecourt’s
quality of life, and upgrading the Old Blue Ridge Highway will help manage
growth pressures by improving access to areas where resource extraction
is taking place,” said MLA VanderBurg. “Managing growth pressures
and improving Albertans’ quality of life are two of the five government
priorities identified by Premier Stelmach.”
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.
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. 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 project is receiving funding under the Canada-Alberta Municipal
Rural Infrastructure Fund (CAMRIF).
Town of Whitecourt
Whitecourt Woodlands Multi-Use Facility (Construction of a new aquatic centre)
Combined federal/provincial investment: $2,101,839 (pending
environmental assessment)
This project will provide the residents of Whitecourt and Woodlands
County with an aquatic centre as part of the Whitecourt Woodlands multi-use
facility. The
aquatic centre will be housed in a 32,000 sq. foot pre-engineered building
and will feature a 25-metre six-lane pool, and other amenities. The
centre is expected to open in March 2008.
Woodlands County
Old Blue Ridge Highway Upgrade (or TWP RD 594) – Phase
One
Combined federal/provincial investment: $2,200,000 (pending
environmental assessment)
This project will upgrade the roadway in order to improve the overall
safety for drivers and reduce the constant maintenance required by the
gravel surface. The Old Blue Ridge Highway is the most heavily
used highway in the County with the highest annual maintenance cost.
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.
A total of $1,760,000 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.
