July 8, 2013
PROVINCE TEAMS UP WITH RIGHT TO PLAY AND WINNIPEG JETS TRUE NORTH FOUNDATION TO HELP FIRST NATIONS YOUTH
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Program Promotes Healthy Lifestyle Through Sport and Recreation: Selinger

A new partnership between the province, the Winnipeg Jets True North Foundation and Right To Play will promote a healthy, active lifestyle for Aboriginal youth through sport and recreation, Premier Greg Selinger and Children and Youth Opportunities Minister Kevin Chief announced today.
“This partnership will help Aboriginal youth reach their full potential by improving their health, confidence and self-esteem,” said Selinger.  “We are excited to work with the True North Foundation and Right To Play to bring innovative programs to First Nations communities.”
The Right To Play program will receive $250,000 in funding, with equal contributions from the province and the Winnipeg Jets True North Foundation.  The funding will support Right To Play’s Promoting Life-skills in Aboriginal Youth (PLAY) program in Fisher River Cree Nation and Pine Creek First Nation.
“Right To Play has an impeccable track record through the work they have done in Ontario and around the world,” said Dwayne Green, executive director, Winnipeg Jets True North Foundation.  “The PLAY program has proven to be sustainable and impactful within the communities with which it has been implemented.  We are proud to support Right To Play and the first two communities in Manitoba to participate in the PLAY program.”  
“We are so pleased with our partnerships with Fisher River Cree Nation and Pine Creek First Nation,” said Robert Witchel, national director, Right To Play.  “Both communities are very supportive of the PLAY program and together we are committed to building on the strengths of the youth.  The introduction of the program would not have been possible without the guidance, generosity and leadership of the Winnipeg Jets True North Foundation and the Province of Manitoba.”
“It is wonderful to see youth in our community engaging in meaningful activities,” said Chief David Crate, Fisher River Cree Nation.  “Leadership development, summer camp and sport workshops have added a new dimension to our existing programming and wouldn’t have been possible without the support of the province, the Winnipeg Jets True North Foundation and Right To Play.”
“On behalf of Pine Creek First Nation Youth, Community Mentor and Chief and Council, we would like to thank Right To Play, the Winnipeg Jets True North Foundation and the Province of Manitoba for selecting Pine Creek First Nation as a pilot project,” said Chief Charlie Boucher.  “Our youth are excited each day for the new things the program has to offer and they are learning skills that will help them to take charge as leaders.”
“Building life skills is an essential investment that will help shape our future,” said Chief.  “We are grateful to our partners and look forward to working together to motivate and inspire youth.”
Right To Play is a global organization that uses the transformative power of play to educate and empower children facing adversity in more than 20 countries.
The Winnipeg Jets True North Foundation supports registered charities that focus on improving the quality of life for disadvantaged children and youth.
The Fisher River Cree Nation is located 220 kilometres north of Winnipeg and has an on-reserve population of approximately 1,700.  The Pine Creek First Nation is located 110 km north of Dauphin on the southwest shore of Lake Winnipegosis and has an on-reserve population of approximately 1,200.
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The Province of Manitoba is distributing this release on behalf of the Government of Manitoba, Winnipeg Jets True North Foundation and Right To Play.


 

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.

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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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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Yayy! Winnipeg Downtown is Happening Man!

April 11, 2012

DOWNTOWN WINNIPEG RENEWAL GAINS MOMENTUM

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Province, City, CentreVenture Partner to Turn Private Sector Investment into Streetscape Improvements within Sports, Hospitality and Entertainment District (SHED)

The Province of Manitoba and the City of Winnipeg are providing tax increment financing support for CentreVenture’s strategy to stimulate private and public investment downtown with a focus on the blocks surrounding Portage Avenue, Premier Greg Selinger and Mayor Sam Katz announced today.
"Downtown Winnipeg is undergoing a truly remarkable renaissance that’s really just getting started,” said Selinger.  “This plan will allow us to take full advantage of the private sector investment we are once again seeing in the downtown by investing some of the new tax revenue back into streetscape improvements.  For Winnipeggers and visitors alike this will mean more interesting and attractive downtown public spaces that have the potential to spur further development.”
CentreVenture has developed a Downtown Portage Avenue Development strategy based on the four Portage Avenue districts (university; retail; sports, hospitality and entertainment; and commercial).  The province and city will provide tax increment financing to support the development of an exciting Sports, Hospitality and Entertainment District (SHED) in an 11‑block area between the MTS Centre and the Winnipeg Convention Centre.  A joint Manitoba/Winnipeg/CentreVenture steering committee will adopt a master plan for SHED and identify projects and incentives that will enhance and stimulate private and public investment in the district.
“Winnipeg’s downtown is undergoing an intense period of revitalization,” said Katz.  “By supporting the development of a sports, hospitality and entertainment district, we can help turn our downtown into a destination all on its own – a place where students, professionals and families want to hang out in their free time.”
“We will continue to work closely with the province and the City of Winnipeg to ensure that the full benefits and opportunities are realized in our sports and entertainment district,” said Ross McGowan, president and CEO of CentreVenture Development Corporation.  “It is important that we guide and influence such growth and capitalize on the incremental taxes as the economic engine for the implementation of the broader Portage Avenue Development Strategy.”

Tax increment financing (TIF) is a tool that allows the city and the province to use the increased property value created by a significant development, like the Longboat/Alt Hotel project across from the MTS Centre, to finance projects or incentives that support economic and social development in the surrounding area.
Changes are happening in downtown Winnipeg and the positive results are encouraging more interest in future developments.  New condominiums and apartments are being created and more Winnipeggers are choosing to live downtown.  TIF will be used to stimulate and protect private and public investment and keep the momentum going in the downtown.  This initiative supports the ongoing downtown revitalization work under Manitoba’s Winnipeg Regeneration Strategy.

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