Government Partners with Chinese Cultural Centre

March 5, 2010


GOVERNMENT PARTNERSHIP INVESTS IN CHINESE CULTURAL AND COMMUNITY CENTRE

Investment Will Create Jobs and Make Important Renovations

Winnipeg, Manitoba — The Honourable Steve Ashton, Manitoba Minister Infrastructure and Transportation, Rod Bruinooge, Member of Parliament for Winnipeg South, and Winnipeg City Councillor Mike Pagtakhan, today announced funding to renovate the Chinese Cultural and Community Centre in Winnipeg. They were joined at the event by Dr. Joseph Du, President of the Winnipeg Chinese Cultural and Community Centre and Cathy Auld of the Winnipeg Foundation.



“Since the Chinese Cultural Centre was established in 1987 with the support of Manitoba and our partners, the centre has worked to promote awareness and appreciation of the culture of Winnipeg’s 20,000 Chinese Manitobans within the province’s multicultural mosaic,” said Minister Ashton. “We are pleased to support this investment, which will help to ensure the centre continues its role as an educational, cultural and recreational centre for the community.”

“Renovations to this Centre will ensure that it remains a vibrant cornerstone of the Chinese Community,” said MP Bruinooge. “By investing in projects like this, the Government of Canada is following through on our commitment to fully implement the infrastructure stimulus package. These investments are creating jobs now, when they are needed most, and at the same time, positioning Canada for long-term growth and prosperity.”



The project consists of renovations to the Winnipeg Chinese Cultural and Community Centre, including the creation of new multi-purpose and meeting spaces. These important renovations will enable the Centre to meet current fire safety codes and improve upon energy efficiency.

“The Chinese Cultural and Community Centre is an important facility in our community serving our city's diverse community as well as promoting and preserving the rich 100 year history of the Chinese community in Winnipeg,” said Councillor Pagtakhan, Chair of Protection and Community services. “I am pleased the City of Winnipeg is demonstrating our commitment to invest in our cultural and recreational facilities so that the Chinese Cultural and Community Centre may continue to provide quality services for the entire community through these modern safety and recreation upgrades."

“It has been a long process, but we are finally making it happen. We will be conserving a lot of energy throughout the centre and have a state-of-the-art kitchen. In the long-run, we will be saving a lot of money too,” declared Dr. Du.

“The Winnipeg Foundation has long supported the Winnipeg Chinese Cultural and Community Centre as a place to celebrate, learn and share in a vibrant culture,” said Ms. Auld. “We are pleased to play a role in the Centre's expansive renovations with a grant toward kitchen upgrades. We are confident the overall project will expand the Centre's capacity as a sustainable community hub not only for Chinatown, but for our city as a whole.”

The total eligible project costs of this project are $200,000, with the federal and provincial governments each providing about one-third of the costs. The City of Winnipeg and other partners are contributing the remaining funding. The Government of Canada’s funding comes from the Infrastructure Stimulus Fund, announced in Canada's Economic Action Plan.

The federal $4 billion Infrastructure Stimulus Fund provides support to construction-ready infrastructure projects that can be completed by March 31, 2011.

Canada and Manitoba are working together to create jobs and boost the economy, while making significant investments that help communities improve their infrastructure. Both governments have agreed to work together to ensure that these funds are delivered quickly and efficiently.

Today’s announcement continues the important steps the Province of Manitoba is taking to support economic growth by investing $1.6 billion this year into infrastructure to stimulate the economy, create jobs, and renew the province's cultural facilities, roads, schools, health facilities and water treatment facilities.