Edmonton, Alberta, November 6, 2010 – The Ukrainian Canadian Archives and Museum of Alberta (UCAMA) will soon find a new home to better display its gallery of artifacts, create permanent interpretive exhibit space, develop public programming, expand its collection as well as maintain a library and archives.
The Honourable Rob Merrifield, Minister of State (Transport), along with Paul Teterenko, President, UCAMA announced today joint federal-provincial funding of $6.25 million toward the relocation of the UCAMA in Edmonton.
The new location entails the renovation and conversion of the historic Lodge Hotel in Edmonton into a museum, archives, and library facility. The museum will showcase Ukrainian culture throughout western Canadian communities. UCAMA is a not-for-profit society devoted to the preservation of Ukrainian Canadian history and culture.
"I am proud to be here today to announce our government's support for the new Ukrainian Canadian Archives and Museum," said Minister Merrifield. "This is an important cultural infrastructure initiative that will showcase and celebrate Ukrainian culture, such an important facet of western Canadian history."
"This support is a welcome step towards our goal of creating a museum that not only preserves our past into the future, but strengthens the cultural and economic vibrancy of Edmonton's downtown," said UCAMA president Paul Teterenko. "When built, the new facility will ensure the survival of an important collection that documents the history and contribution Ukrainians have made to Alberta and Canada."
Federal funding for this initiative will come from the Provincial-Territorial Base Fund, conditional upon the initiative meeting program requirements as part of a provincial Capital Plan under this program. The Provincial-Territorial Base Fund is part of the Building Canada plan and is providing $175 million to each province and territory to address infrastructure priorities. Under this program, federal funding flows based on approved provincial/territorial Capital Plans and not individual initiatives. When matched by the provinces and territories, the Provincial-Territorial Base Fund will invest at least $4.5 billion in infrastructure across the country.
Since the launch of the Economic Action Plan, approximately $10.7 billion has been committed through Infrastructure Canada's programs toward more than 6,100 projects. Along with contributions from other partners such as provinces, territories and municipalities, this represents a total investment of over $30 billion.
For more information on federal infrastructure investments, visit http://www.buildingcanada.gc.ca/.
Robert Lynch
Office of the Minister of State (Transport)
613-990-9573
Infrastructure Canada
613-948-1148
OR Toll-free
1-877-250-7154
Paul Teterenko
President UCAMA
780-953-6348
