October 1, 2012

NEW PROGRAM TO HELP NORTHERN AND REMOTE COMMUNITIES BUILD, UPGRADE RECREATIONAL FACILITIES

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Grants to Create More Healthy Opportunities for Families, Youth: Premier

Northern and remote communities can now apply for grants to improve their recreational facilities through the new Community Places Program – North, Premier Greg Selinger announced today.
“Making life better for families in all parts of our province is a priority for our government,” said Selinger.  “This program will make a difference in the lives of northern families by providing more recreational opportunities in their communities.”
Over the next three years, the program will provide planning assistance and $2 million in funding to northern and remote communities for new recreation and community facility construction, upgrading, expansion or acquisition projects, as well as the purchase of essential non-personal sporting equipment that is directly related to the capital project.
Eligible projects are those that would provide sustainable recreational and wellness benefits to communities, with an emphasis on youth, the premier said, adding non-profit community organizations can apply for assistance with critical building repairs, energy-saving initiatives and user-related improvements.
Grants of up to $75,000 are now being made available to northern and remote communities, with no requirement to match funding, for infrastructure and recreational projects such as playgrounds and outdoor rinks.  The projects can include small repairs to things like boards on ice rinks, replacement of old windows and doors or more substantial upgrades to modernize an entire recreational facility.  The program is designed to ensure application deadlines and approvals are completed by winter road season so construction materials can be transported to communities with only winter road access.
Applications are now available and are open until Nov. 30.  Grant approvals will be announced in January 2013.  A second intake will take place in June 2013.
All projects are community-led.  Eligible applicants include incorporated recreational, sports, cultural, heritage and other non-profit community organizations, First Nations and local urban districts.
Program criteria calls for applicants to be a northern or remote community located north of the 53rd parallel and exclude The Pas, Thompson and Flin Flon.  South of the 53rd parallel, remote communities only accessible by a winter road can apply.
For more information and to download a Community Places North application, go to: www.manitoba.ca/housing/cpp.
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