News Release
For Release
March 15, 2007
SWAN RIVER, Manitoba The Towns of Swan River and Grand Rapids
will move forward with plans to improve their local infrastructure, with
funding totaling $6.3 million from Canada's New Government, the
Province of Manitoba and local governments, through the Canada-Manitoba
Municipal Rural Infrastructure Fund (MRIF).
The Honourable Rosann Wowchuk,
Manitoba Minister of Agriculture, Food and Rural Initiatives, on behalf
of the Honourable Ron Lemieux, Manitoba Minister of Infrastructure and
Transportation, and Inky Mark, Member of Parliament for Dauphin-Swan
River-Marquette, 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, made the announcement today.
"We are pleased to support
these much-needed, local improvements in Swan River and in the Grand
Rapids area," said Minister Wowchuk. "Health
and wellness are such an important part of our lives and once completed both
projects will provide benefits to many individuals and families who will be able
to take advantage of upgrades to the infrastructure in their local communities."
"Canada's
New Government is investing in stronger, safer and more prosperous communities," said
MP Inky Mark. "Today's joint investment of $6.3 million will
expand access to recreation services for residents in Swan Valley, as
well as provide much-needed improvements to water and wastewater infrastructure
in Grand Rapids."
Once operational, the Swan Valley Recreation and Wellness Centre could
serve up to 35,000 users. The specific components of the facility are
subject to public consultation, which may include an indoor aquatic facility,
walking track and a multipurpose space suitable for a wide variety of
indoor recreational activities. Residents and community schools will
have access to exercise and fitness facilities that are currently unavailable
in the area.
The Grand Rapids water and sewer project would replace three
small old water systems and provide the opportunity for greater economic
benefits for the town. The new sewer and water infrastructure will facilitate
further development for Grand Rapids and also serve the Hydro community
of Hybord.
"On behalf of the Town of Grand Rapids, I would like to express
my most sincere thank you to the Canada-Manitoba Infrastructure Programs
for making possible the much needed funding for our town sewer and water
upgrades and extensions," said
Mayor Jim Allan. "The much needed infrastructure will facilitate
future development within the community."
More specific details of the other projects being funded through MRIF
will be revealed at
events with local partners held throughout the province over the
coming weeks. The projects being announced support MRIF's green
and recreation project categories.
The Canada-Manitoba Municipal Rural
Infrastructure Fund (MRIF) is investing a total of $120 million in communities
across Manitoba. Of the total
funds, eighty percent of MRIF is earmarked for communities with a population
under 250,000, including 198 municipalities and 50 unincorporated
Northern Community Councils in rural and northern Manitoba. The remaining
20 percent is for communities with populations over 250,000.
More information on Canada and Manitoba infrastructure projects are available
at: www.infrastructure.gc.ca
and www.infrastructure.mb.ca.
For additional information, contact:
Jacqueline Petrus, Communications Coordinator
Canada-Manitoba Infrastructure Secretariat
Winnipeg, Manitoba
(204) 945-8778
Toll-Free: 1-800-268-4883
www.infrastructure.mb.ca
Jacquie Sippola
Communications Officer
Western Economic Diversification Canada
Tel: (204) 983-0280
Winnipeg, Manitoba
John Thorpe, Communications Coordinator
Government of Manitoba
Winnipeg, Manitoba
(204) 945-4997
www.gov.mb.ca
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
Municipal Rural Infrastructure Fund (MRIF)
Canada-Manitoba Infrastructure Programs
Each of the following projects is receiving funding under the Municipal
Rural Infrastructure Fund (MRIF) through matching one-third contributions
from the federal and provincial governments and the local project proponent.
Parkland
Town of Swan River - $1,200,000
Swan Valley Recreation and Wellness Centre
Funds will be used towards construction of a new recreation and wellness
centre to provide residents of this region with year-round exercise and
physical fitness opportunities.
Northern
Town of Grand Rapids - $5,100,000
Sewer and Water Project
This project consists of the construction of an integrated water
and sewer system to service the Town of Grand Rapids and the Hydro community
of Hybord.
Previously announced:
Interlake
RM of West St. Paul - $525,000
West St. Paul Multiplex
The construction of this multi-purpose recreation complex will result
in a location for leisure sporting events for the residents of the RM
of West St. Paul and the RM of St. Andrews. The complex will replace
two aging community facilities in West St. Paul.
Winnipeg
YMCA-YWCA of Winnipeg - $3,000,000
South Y Renewal and Expansion
An 18,000 sq. ft. expansion of the St. Vital YMCA-YWCA location
includes renewal of the athletic field, upgrades to the aquatic centre
and improvements to the fitness area. It is estimated that the
rejuvenated South Y will increase its membership capacity by 33% to a
potential 10,000 members.
St. James Rods Football Club Inc. - $305,000
Rods Rejuvenation Project
The Rods are the longest running minor football club in Canada, providing
quality football programs to over 300 players from ages seven to adult.
The facility's expansion will help meet the growing needs of the
Rods' present football program and allow for further development.
Southeastern
RM of Taché - $375,000
Landmark Wastewater Treatment Facility Expansion
This project involves the construction of two additional cells
to the existing hydraulically overloaded lagoon. The expanded
facility will service both the Village of Landmark and the RM of
Taché, addressing requirements for wastewater storage and treatment
for the next 20 years.
Southwestern
Commonwealth Air Training Plan Museum Inc. - $375,000
Commonwealth Air Training Plan Museum Redevelopment Phase
I
The restoration and upgrades to this museum will ensure the history and
artifacts of the British Commonwealth Air Training Plan of 1939-1945
remain preserved. The upgrades will provide better access to people interested
in the history of flight training from all across North America. The
facility is both a provincial and national historical site.
Brandon University & the Brandon YM-YWCA - $2,400,000
Y@BU
This project will expand and renew the current fitness facilities at
Brandon University to service the campus, the YM-YWCA, as well as the
surrounding community.
North Central
Town of Gladstone & RM of Westbourne - $750,000
Gladstone District Community Centre
This projects consists of the construction of a multi-use facility
that includes the renovation of a 1,300 square foot two-storey building.
An addition will be constructed featuring a sod roof that will contain
a wild life preserve of indigenous prairie grasses and wild prairie flowers. The
facility will be built to a minimum of LEED Silver accreditation and
C-2000 standards.
Parkland
City of Dauphin - $390,000
Dauphin Arena Eco-Chill System Expansion
The arena's eco-chill ice system will be expanded to heat other
areas of the multi-purpose recreation complex in Dauphin. The process
limits the release of waste heat into the atmosphere and reduces building
heating costs. It also demonstrates a best-practices approach to
energy conservation./p>
