For Release
March 09, 2007
Spruce Grove, Alberta Residents of the City
of Spruce Grove will have a new outdoor-recreation and cultural facility
with investments from the Canada-Alberta Municipal Rural Infrastructure
Fund (CAMRIF).
A combined federal/provincial investment of more than $5.7 million will
help the City of Spruce Grove in the first phase of development of a 22-acre
outdoor soccer and football facility as well as a 60-acre cultural and
special events venue. Through CAMRIF, funding for this project will total
more than $8.5 million with the federal, provincial and local governments
each contributing more than $2.8 million.
The Honourable Rona Ambrose, President of the Queen's Privy Council,
Minister of Intergovernmental Affairs and Minister of Western Economic
Diversification, and Doug Horner, Minister of Advanced Education and Technology
on behalf of 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 Spruce Grove," said Minister Ambrose. "Today's investment
is just one example of the way we're delivering on our promise to
make Canada's communities vibrant and productive places to live,
work and raise families."
"The Government of Alberta is proud to contribute to this project,"
said Minister Horner. "Recreation and culture are important aspects
of personal growth. This facility will improve Albertans' quality
of life, one of Premier Ed Stelmach's five priorities."
"We are absolutely thrilled about this announcement. Spruce Grove
has grown in population by over 30 per cent in the past five years and
the West District/Jubilee Park project helps address the rapidly growing
needs of our residents for outdoor recreational opportunities," said
Mayor Ken Scott.
The Canada-Alberta Municipal Rural Infrastructure Fund is a joint initiative
between Canada's New Government and the Alberta Government 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. With matching
one-third contributions from municipalities, the funds will reach at least
$264 million.
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).
City of Spruce Grove
West District Park Development
Combined federal/provincial investment: $5,733,332 (pending environmental
assessment)
This project includes the first phase of development of a 22-acre outdoor
soccer/football facility and a 60-acre special events and cultural event
venue.
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.
