WORK BEGINS ON UNIVERSITY OF MANITOBA'S NEW WORLD-CLASS ACTIVE LIVING CENTRE -+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++-+

October 11, 2012

Winnipeg, Manitoba, October 11, 2012 – Dignitaries gathered today to celebrate the start of construction of the new Active Living Centre, at the University of Manitoba.  On hand were the Honourable Greg Selinger, Premier of Manitoba, the Honourable Steven Fletcher, Minister of State (Transport) and Member of Parliament for Charleswood-St. James-Assiniboia, Winnipeg Mayor Sam Katz, University of Manitoba President David Barnard, and former University of Manitoba Bison football player (and current National Football League player) Israel Idonije.

“This new world-class sports and recreation centre will benefit students and staff on campus and will offer some exciting opportunities for families from the local community,” said Premier Selinger.  “We’re creating new opportunities for people of all ages to get active, right in their community, because it’s a priority for Manitobans and because we know it will have lasting benefits well into the future.”
“Our Government is proud to support the construction of this world-class sport and fitness centre -one of the largest of its kind in Manitoba,” said Minister of State Fletcher.  “This investment will help to create well paying jobs and strengthen our local economy here in Winnipeg.  When complete in 2015, it will help build a strong, sustainable and healthy community.”
“The City of Winnipeg is pleased to support the Active Living Centre with $2.5 million obtained from the sale of the Polo Park stadium site,” said Mayor Katz.  “Students and staff at the University of Manitoba campus come from all corners of Winnipeg.  Soon they will have the opportunity to build active living into their academic day, with a modern, bright fitness facility.”
“The Active Living Centre builds on the transformative change at the University of Manitoba in the spaces where we live, work, study, discover and play,” said Dr. Barnard.  “Not only will the centre become a primary gateway to the heart of campus, but it will also enhance significantly the University of Manitoba’s commitment to a culture of active, sustainable living.”

Each year, more than 7,800 students and 1,000 staff and community members use the Faculty of Kinesiology and Recreation Management’s facility at the University of Manitoba.  The Faculty promotes sport and active living through various university and community programs for people of all ages and will be home to the new Active Living Centre.
The new four-storey, open-concept facility, with its luminous glass exterior, will house a high-performance training facility for elite athletes, a state-of-the-art indoor running track, a 12-metre climbing wall, an Applied Research Centre, a gathering area for students, strength and conditioning facilities, and three group workout studios.
The $46-million centre (which is the keystone part of a group of Active Living Projects worth $59-million) received joint federal and provincial funding of $20 million under the Provincial-Territorial Base Fund.  The City of Winnipeg is also providing $2.5 million of the net proceeds from the sale of the Polo Park Stadium site, with the balance of the funding being provided by the University of Manitoba.
This 100,000-square-foot facility will support an active lifestyle for students, staff, and the community alike.  The new Active Living Centre will replace the current fitness facility (dubbed the “Gritty Grotto”).  Upon its completion in 2015, this modern, eco-friendly building will accommodate more than 2,000 patrons per day, making it the largest active living facility in Manitoba.
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To download architectural video highlighting the Active Living Centre, click here (www.youtube.com/watch?v=bQFzDzv5v7k&feature=youtu.be) or visit http://bit.ly/OTlEnw.
For further information on Infrastructure Canada’s projects in Manitoba, or to stay up-to-date with Web feeds, visit www.infrastructure.gc.ca.
To learn more about Manitoba’s infrastructure projects, please visit: www.infrastructure.mb.ca.

Premier Announces 2013 Community Places Program Applications Now Available. Left to Right:Lou Caci, President, Variety, the Children’s Charity, Premier Greg Selinger, Kerry Irvin-Ross, Minister of Housing and Community Development

 

October 1, 2012

PROVINCE ANNOUNCES 2013 COMMUNITY PLACES PROGRAM TO HELP UPGRADE RECREATIONAL FACILITIES ACROSS MANITOBA

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Grants to Non-profit Groups to Help Improve Sports, Cultural Opportunities for Manitobans: Selinger

The province will help revitalize communities and improve recreational opportunities in towns and cities throughout Manitoba under the 2013 Community Places Program, Premier Greg Selinger announced today.
“In 2012, more than 270 non-profit community groups were able to create or upgrade local recreational, wellness or cultural facilities for Manitoba families as a result of Community Places grants,” said Selinger.  “Gathering places such as seniors’ centres, playgrounds and hockey rinks play an important role in enhancing the quality of life families have come to enjoy in communities throughout our province.”
The Community Places Program provides funding and planning assistance to non-profit community organizations for facility construction, upgrading, expansion or acquisition projects.  Eligible projects are those that provide sustainable recreation and wellness benefits to communities.
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; the maximum grant is $50,000.  Applicants must contribute to project costs by providing additional resources from local fundraising, grants from local governments and other sources, or donated labour and materials.
Examples of Community Places Program projects approved in 2012 include:

• a playground development project for the Ryerson Association of Parents and Teachers,
• renovations to the Manitoba Farmers with Disabilities’ building in Elm Creek,
• stage lighting upgrades for the Pinawa Players,
• a wind-power electric turbine for Selkirk’s Manitoba Paddling Association,
• support to Opasquia Agricultural Society’s redevelopment project for The Pas and District Exhibition Grounds,
• kitchen renovations for the Waterhen Community Council,
• support to the Oak Lake Beach Playground Committee for construction of a natural playground,
• support to the Friends of Living Prairie Museum for construction of an outdoor education shelter, and
• upgrades to the Building Urban Industries for Local Development’s HVAC system.

Since its inception, Community Places has provided more than $104.3 million in grants to support more than 6,815 community construction projects provincewide, the premier said, adding these grants have leveraged an estimated $651.7 million in infrastructure improvements in both rural and urban communities.  Community Places has provided funding and planning assistance for 10,706 applicants from non-profit community organizations.
Grant applications under the 2013 Community Places Program are now being accepted until Dec. 15.  To receive a grant application or for more information, contact the Community Places Program office in Winnipeg at 204-945‑0502 or 1-800-894-3777 (toll-free), e-mail mcpp@gov.mb.ca or visit www.manitoba.ca/housing/cpp.

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