August 18, 2009
Leduc, Alberta
The City of Leduc will move forward with the Leduc Recreation Centre upgrade project thanks to the Recreational Infrastructure Canada (RInC) program, a major job-creating investment from Canada’s Economic Action Plan.
Today, James Rajotte, Member of Parliament for Leduc, on behalf of the Honourable Lynne Yelich, Minister of State for Western Economic Diversification, announced federal funding that will help improve a vital recreational infrastructure asset in the City of Leduc.
“Improvements to the Leduc Recreation Centre will help ensure that our year-round facility can continue to provide Leduc residents with the opportunity to participate in activities that promote healthy living and community involvement,” said MP Rajotte. “Our Government’s investment will create immediate jobs and will serve Leduc and area for years to come.”
Federal funding of $416,683 is provided under the Recreational Infrastructure Canada (RInC) program as a part of Canada’s Economic Action Plan.
Improvements to the Recreation Centre include a pool roof replacement, installation of an energy efficient heat recovery and dehumidification system and upgrades to the parking lot. Improvements will include the usage of new technology that will result in a lower demand for energy and reduced operational costs.
“RInC funding has allowed Leduc to accelerate the modernizing of our existing recreation infrastructure at the same time we are building new facilities to meet growing regional demands,” said Greg Krischke, Mayor of the City of Leduc. “RInC has also helped us to reduce our ecological footprint by allowing us to incorporate energy efficient technology into our long term rehabilitation plan.”
The Recreational Infrastructure Canada (RInC) program will invest $500 million in recreational facilities across Canada over a two-year period. It will provide a temporary economic stimulus that will help reduce the impacts of the global recession while renewing, upgrading and expanding recreational infrastructure in Canadian communities.
Visit the Recreational Infrastructure Canada (RInC) program in the West, or Canada's Economic Action Plan for more information.
For additional information, contact:
Donna Kinley
Regional Manager, Communications
Western Economic Diversification Canada
Edmonton, Alberta
Tel: (780) 495-6892
Cell: (780) 991-7432
Renée Worrell
Communications Coordinator
City of Leduc
Tel: 780-980-7171
WD Toll-Free Number:1 888 338-WEST (9378)
Teletypewriter (TTY): 1 877 303-3388
Website: WD is online at www.wd-deo.gc.ca.
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Backgrounder
Recreational Infrastructure Canada Program
The Recreational Infrastructure Canada (RInC) program provides $500 million nationally for projects to rehabilitate recreational facilities across Canada that can be completed by March 31, 2011.
Through RInC, the Government of Canada has committed to supporting upgrades and repairs to existing recreational assets.
The program is designed to provide a timely, targeted stimulus to the economy, and to help mitigate the impacts of the global economic recession by increasing the total amount of construction activity related to recreational infrastructure. Through the rehabilitation of recreational infrastructure, this program also encourages participation in physical activity and community building.
The initial RInC allocation for Western Canada, to be delivered by Western Economic Diversification Canada, is almost $54 million. The remaining funding, over the next two years, will be allocated based on the number of applications submitted to the Department. Projects will be selected on the basis of merit and construction readiness.
The federal government will fund up to 33 per cent of eligible costs. The remaining funding will need to be sourced from provincial or municipal governments, community organizations, or the private sector. The maximum federal contribution to any one project under this program will be $1 million.
Eligible applicants:
- Municipal and local governments, agencies, and provincial entities that provide municipal-type services to communities;
- Not-for-profit entity;
- First Nation governments, Band or Tribal Councils, or their legally-designated representatives.
Eligible Projects:
- Arenas
- Gymnasia
- Swimming pools
- Sports fields
- Tennis, basketball, volleyball or other sport-specific courts;
- Parks, fitness trails, and bike paths;
- Other multi-purpose facilities that have physical recreation activity as the primary rationale.
Eligible projects must also:
- Fall under one of the above eligible categories;
- Normally be for the rehabilitation or repair of existing infrastructure, including new construction that is either adding to or replacing existing recreational infrastructure assets or capacity;
- Begin and materially conclude construction before March 31, 2011; and,
- Not have otherwise occurred, as proposed, without support from the RInC program, i.e. be incremental.
Projects must meet the mandatory requirements as outlined in program eligibility section. Furthermore, projects will be recommended and approved on the basis of merit. The application form is available online at http://www.wd-deo.gc.ca/.
In addition to meeting the eligibility requirements described above, projects will be assessed on:
- construction-readiness;
- planned completion date;
- incrementality; and,
- the extent to which other funding is leveraged.
Depending on the volume of applications received, other criteria may be applied.
