Community Places Program Increases By 50 Per Cent To $4.5 Million For Neighbourhood Improvements

Manitoba News Release
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November 28, 2007
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Grant Applications Now Available

The successful Community Places Program now has an additional $1.5 million to support local community plans, Culture, Heritage, Tourism and Sport Minister Eric Robinson announced today.

“This 50 per cent funding increase in the program responds to rising construction costs and to Manitoban’s growing demands for improved recreation facilities,” said Robinson. “Increasing the program’s funding means that recreation, cultural, arts, heritage, leisure and municipal facilities can now plan the sort of projects which will really make a difference for their communities.”Robinson noted that applications are now being accepted and the deadline is Feb. 15, with approvals being announced in the spring. Up to $50,000 will be available to successful Community Places Program applicants in 2008-09. 
 
The Community Places Program provides funding and planning assistance to municipalities and non-profit community organizations for facility construction, upgrading, expansion or acquisition projects. Eligible projects provide sustainable recreational and wellness benefits to communities. Non-profit organizations can apply for assistance with critical building repairs, energy-saving initiatives and user-related improvements.
 
Eligible projects can receive up to 50 per cent of the first $15,000 of total project costs and up to one-third of costs over that amount to a maximum grant of $50,000. Applicants must contribute to project costs by providing additional resources from local fundraising, grants from local governments and other sources, and donated labour and materials.
 
“Public-use facilities play a crucial role in the lives of community residents, providing them with access to a variety of leisure, recreation and wellness programs and opportunities,” added Robinson. “The social and cultural benefits are essential to the quality of life in any community and are a priority of this government.”
 
The minister said today’s announcement is part of an overall commitment made in the recent throne speech to double funding for recreation facilities throughout Manitoba, adding additional funding for other projects that will continue to support and promote healthier living will be announced in the coming months.
            

In 2007, the provincial government invested $3 million in Community Places grants to support 299 neighbourhood and municipal construction projects provincewide in rural and urban communities.
                                                                                         
For more information, contact the Manitoba Culture, Heritage, Tourism and Sport regional offices or the Community Places Program office in Winnipeg at 945-0502 or toll-free at 1-800-894-3777, by e-mail at mcpp@gov.mb.ca or at www.gov.mb.ca/chc/grants, where applications are available.
 
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