Edmonton, Alberta - Local hockey rinks, swimming pools, and other community sites throughout the West will be eligible to receive funding for upgrades, renovations, and fix-ups thanks to the new Recreational Infrastructure Canada Program (RInC) in Canada's Economic Action Plan. Funding for the RInC program is now available through Western Economic Diversification Canada.
"For decades, community centres across Western Canada have been a gathering place for families, friends, and neighbours," said the Honourable Lynne Yelich, Minister of State for Western Economic Diversification. "The RInC program will stimulate benefits to the economy, create jobs and contribute to the health and quality of life in our local communities."
This two-year national initiative is expected to provide a timely, targeted, and temporary stimulus to the Canadian economy, while ensuring that local families and communities can continue to count on their local fields, arenas and pools for decades to come.
"Recreation facilities contribute to strong, healthy communities across Alberta and provide long-lasting economic benefits," said the Honourable Jim Prentice, Minister of the Environment. "Our Government's investments through the RInC initiative will help create immediate jobs and enable communities to emerge through these challenging economic times with more modern infrastructure."
"The renewal of public infrastructure in our smaller and rural communities is an important part of Canada's Economic Action Plan to stimulate growth and promote recovery," said the Honourable Rona Ambrose, Minister of Labour. "The RInC initiative demonstrates our commitment to creating new opportunities and supporting a high quality of life for Albertans and all Canadians."
The federal government will fund up to 33 percent of eligible costs. The remaining funding will need to be sourced from provincial or municipal governments, community organizations or the private sector. Projects must begin and materially conclude construction before March 31, 2011. The maximum federal contribution to any one project under this program will be $1 million.
Program and application details may be obtained at http://www.wd-deo.gc.ca/. Project proposals are due by May 29, 2009 and projects needing more time to develop have until June 19, 2009.
For additional information, contact:
Donna Kinley
Regional Manager, Communications & Corp Liaison
Western Economic Diversification Canada
Edmonton, Alberta
Tel: (780) 495-6892
Cell: (780) 991-7432
