Chris Warkentin, Member of Parliament for Peace River, on behalf of the Honourable Lynne Yelich, Minister of State for Western Economic Diversification, announced Government of Canada funding to construct a new community hall in the Hamlet of Demmitt.
"By investing in the development of community facilities across the country we are creating jobs and opportunity, while helping to ensure our communities remain strong, vibrant places for future generations," said MP Warkentin.
The project involves replacing Demmitt's quonset hut community hall with a permanent, timber framed, straw bale building. The new building is being developed with green construction methods, including solar panels for heating and environmentally-friendly technology for electrical and sewage needs. Local timber from pine-beetle infested trees will also be used.
"From the moment residents and visitors see the new community hall, they will know they are in a special place," said Lindsay Blackett, Minister of Culture and Community Spirit. "From its welcoming architecture and unique sustainable construction to the celebrated performances within, the new Demmit hall will be a place for the whole region to celebrate."
In addition to creating short-term employment through construction activity, the project is expected to provide long-term economic benefits for local businesses by enhancing the community's capacity to host the "Borderline Culture Series" – a series of musical events that draw visitors from surrounding regions.
"This funding is a great example of a working partnership between three levels of government to support rural communities," stated County of Grande Prairie Reeve Everett McDonald."The innovative technologies used to build the community hall will be a model for new buildings in our communities."
Federal funding of $560,415 is being provided through the Community Adjustment Fund (CAF) as part of Canada's Economic Action Plan. In addition, the Province of Alberta is providing $125,000 through the Community Facility Enhancement Program, while the County of Grande Prairie is contributing $50,000 towards project costs.
"The community centre is being built to last 100 years," said Peter von Tiesenhausen, President of the Demmitt Cultural Society. "Using local building materials and advanced sustainable practices, we are committed to keeping our environment pristine. The Centre will not only require few resources to maintain, but will also anchor our community with a lasting feeling of ownership, pride and integrity."
CAF supports the most affected western Canadian communities, such as those that are heavily reliant on resource-based industries. Western Economic Diversification Canada (WD) is delivering the fund in the four western provinces.
Visit the Community Adjustment Fund (CAF) in the West or Canada's Economic Action Plan for more information.
For broadcast use
Funding from all three orders of government is enabling the development of a new, environmentally-friendly community hall in the Hamlet of Demmitt. Construction of the hall is creating immediate jobs, while the expanded capacity will allow for the attraction of higher profile events through Demmitt's Borderline Culture series, thereby encouraging tourism and enhanced economic opportunities. The Government of Canada is investing $560,415 towards this project under the Community Adjustment Fund.
For more information, contact:
Donna Kinley
Regional Manager, Communications
Western Economic Diversification Canada
Edmonton, Alberta
Tel: (780) 495-6892
Cell: (780) 991-7432
Parker Hogan
Communications Director
Alberta Culture and Community Spirit
Tel: 780-427-6530
Cell: 780-914-2869
Everett McDonald
Reeve, County of Grande Prairie No. 1
Tel: (780) 831-8590
Andony Melathopoulos
Director, Secretary of the Building Committee
and Organizer of the Borderline Cultural Series
Demmitt Cultural Society
Tel: (780) 296-0732
WD Toll-Free Number:1-888-338-WEST (9378)
Teletypewriter (TTY): 1-877-303-3388
WD Website: www.wd-deo.gc.ca.
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